diff --git a/include/boost/python/with_custodian_and_ward.hpp b/include/boost/python/with_custodian_and_ward.hpp
index 906de6d7..9399478f 100644
--- a/include/boost/python/with_custodian_and_ward.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/with_custodian_and_ward.hpp
@@ -68,8 +68,9 @@ struct with_custodian_and_ward : BasePolicy_
     
         bool result = BasePolicy_::precall(args_);
 
-        if (!result)
+        if (!result) {
             Py_DECREF(life_support);
+        }
     
         return result;
     }