diff --git a/src/gurt/debug.c b/src/gurt/debug.c
index 960db55b001..4fb112b7dcc 100644
--- a/src/gurt/debug.c
+++ b/src/gurt/debug.c
@@ -560,9 +560,8 @@ d_log_init(void)
 
 void d_log_fini(void)
 {
-	D_ASSERT(d_log_refcount > 0);
-
 	D_MUTEX_LOCK(&d_log_lock);
+	D_ASSERT(d_log_refcount > 0);
 	d_log_refcount--;
 	if (d_log_refcount == 0) {
 		cleanup_dbg_namebit();