diff --git a/lib/dns/resolver.c b/lib/dns/resolver.c
index ded2e296fb..b557b5ac60 100644
--- a/lib/dns/resolver.c
+++ b/lib/dns/resolver.c
@@ -1562,15 +1562,12 @@ fctx_sendevents(fetchctx_t *fctx, isc_result_t result) {
 	unsigned int new_spillat = 0; /* initialized to silence
 				       * compiler warnings */
 
-	/*
-	 * Caller must be holding the fctx lock.
-	 */
+	LOCK(&fctx->lock);
+
 	REQUIRE(fctx->state == fetchstate_done);
 
 	FCTXTRACE("sendevents");
 
-	LOCK(&fctx->lock);
-
 	/*
 	 * Keep some record of fetch result for logging later (if required).
 	 */