diff --git a/src/eval.c b/src/eval.c
index 34502f9..e888fec 100644
--- a/src/eval.c
+++ b/src/eval.c
@@ -2551,6 +2551,12 @@
 	funcexe.fe_lastline = curwin->w_cursor.lnum;
 	funcexe.fe_evaluate = evaluate;
 	funcexe.fe_partial = partial;
+	if (partial != NULL)
+	{
+	    funcexe.fe_object = partial->pt_obj;
+	    if (funcexe.fe_object != NULL)
+		++funcexe.fe_object->obj_refcount;
+	}
 	funcexe.fe_basetv = basetv;
 	funcexe.fe_check_type = type;
 	funcexe.fe_found_var = found_var;