diff --git a/src/core/binding.c b/src/core/binding.c
index c01f5b500d..a826c2ce51 100644
--- a/src/core/binding.c
+++ b/src/core/binding.c
@@ -631,6 +631,10 @@ QuicBindingCreateStatelessOperation(
 
     CxPlatDispatchLockAcquire(&Binding->StatelessOperLock);
 
+    if (Binding->RefCount == 0) {
+        goto Exit;
+    }
+
     //
     // Age out all expired operation contexts.
     //