diff --git a/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c b/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c
index 1ce275c..92c6a24 100644
--- a/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c
+++ b/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c
@@ -849,9 +849,9 @@
         rc = 1; 
     } else {
         rc = (int)PyObject_IsTrue(ret);
+        Py_DECREF(ret);
     }
 
-    Py_DECREF(ret);
     PyGILState_Release(gilstate);
     return rc;
 }