diff --git a/src/runtime/object.cpp b/src/runtime/object.cpp
index 636d7a1440..82e427abc6 100644
--- a/src/runtime/object.cpp
+++ b/src/runtime/object.cpp
@@ -842,6 +842,10 @@ public:
     }
 
     void resolve(lean_task_object * t, object * v) {
+        if (t->m_value) {
+            dec(v);
+            return;
+        }
         unique_lock<mutex> lock(m_mutex);
         if (t->m_value) {
             lock.unlock(); // `dec(v)` could lead to `deactivate_task` trying to take the lock