diff --git a/src/if_py_both.h b/src/if_py_both.h
index 4f916b7..35ad5d0 100644
--- a/src/if_py_both.h
+++ b/src/if_py_both.h
@@ -2863,7 +2863,6 @@
 	    return NULL;
 	}
 	self->name = vim_strsave(name);
-	func_ref(self->name);
     }
     else
 	if ((self->name = get_expanded_name(name,
@@ -2875,6 +2874,7 @@
 	    return NULL;
 	}
 
+    func_ref(self->name);
     self->argc = argc;
     self->argv = argv;
     self->self = selfdict;