diff --git a/phpBB/cron.php b/phpBB/cron.php
index 0c1397979d..0cae2ea130 100644
--- a/phpBB/cron.php
+++ b/phpBB/cron.php
@@ -60,10 +60,10 @@ if ($cron_lock->acquire())
 		if ($task->is_ready())
 		{
 			$task->run();
-			$cron_lock->release();
 			garbage_collection();
 		}
 	}
+	$cron_lock->release();
 
 }
 else