diff --git a/solr/core/src/java/org/apache/solr/core/SolrCore.java b/solr/core/src/java/org/apache/solr/core/SolrCore.java
index 1bbfa7423a9..cd964268d92 100644
--- a/solr/core/src/java/org/apache/solr/core/SolrCore.java
+++ b/solr/core/src/java/org/apache/solr/core/SolrCore.java
@@ -1268,7 +1268,7 @@ public final class SolrCore implements SolrInfoMBean {
           );
         } catch(Exception e) {
           // if submit fails, newSearchHolder does not get decref'd
-          if (newSearchHolder != null) newSearchHolder.decref();
+          if (returnSearcher && newSearchHolder != null) newSearchHolder.decref();
           throw e;
         }
       }