diff --git a/extclass.h b/extclass.h
index 48017f78..154d8506 100644
--- a/extclass.h
+++ b/extclass.h
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ class ExtensionClass
     {
         BaseClassInfo baseInfo(base, &ConversionFunction<S, T>::downcast_ptr);
         ClassRegistry<T>::register_base_class(baseInfo);
-        add_base(Ptr(as_object(base)));
+        add_base(Ptr(as_object(base), Ptr::new_ref));
         
         SubClassInfo subInfo(this, &ConversionFunction<T, S>::upcast_ptr);
         ClassRegistry<S>::register_sub_class(subInfo);
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ class ExtensionClass
     {
         BaseClassInfo baseInfo(base, 0);
         ClassRegistry<T>::register_base_class(baseInfo);
-        add_base(Ptr(as_object(base)));
+        add_base(Ptr(as_object(base), Ptr::new_ref));
         
         SubClassInfo subInfo(this, &ConversionFunction<T, S>::upcast_ptr);
         ClassRegistry<S>::register_sub_class(subInfo);
diff --git a/extclass_demo.cpp b/extclass_demo.cpp
index 4ce70904..59e8099f 100644
--- a/extclass_demo.cpp
+++ b/extclass_demo.cpp
@@ -363,6 +363,7 @@ static int getX(OverloadTest * u)
     return u->x();
 }
 
+
 /************************************************************/
 /*                                                          */
 /*    classes to test base declarations and conversions     */