diff --git a/src/dict.c b/src/dict.c
index a26419b..c13e7a4 100644
--- a/src/dict.c
+++ b/src/dict.c
@@ -59,14 +59,24 @@
     if (d == NULL)
 	return FAIL;
 
-    rettv->vval.v_dict = d;
-    rettv->v_type = VAR_DICT;
+    rettv_dict_set(rettv, d);
     rettv->v_lock = 0;
-    ++d->dv_refcount;
     return OK;
 }
 
 /*
+ * Set a dictionary as the return value
+ */
+    void
+rettv_dict_set(typval_T *rettv, dict_T *d)
+{
+    rettv->v_type = VAR_DICT;
+    rettv->vval.v_dict = d;
+    if (d != NULL)
+	++d->dv_refcount;
+}
+
+/*
  * Free a Dictionary, including all non-container items it contains.
  * Ignores the reference count.
  */
@@ -646,11 +656,7 @@
 
     *arg = skipwhite(*arg + 1);
     if (evaluate)
-    {
-	rettv->v_type = VAR_DICT;
-	rettv->vval.v_dict = d;
-	++d->dv_refcount;
-    }
+	rettv_dict_set(rettv, d);
 
     return OK;
 }