diff --git a/fileref.cpp b/fileref.cpp
index 700f69d1..693f4929 100644
--- a/fileref.cpp
+++ b/fileref.cpp
@@ -101,6 +101,8 @@ FileRef &FileRef::operator=(const FileRef &ref)
 
   d = ref.d;
 
+  d->ref();
+
   return *this;
 }