diff --git a/src/lib/evas/common/evas_image_main.c b/src/lib/evas/common/evas_image_main.c
index 9638eb8e03..6692a2dbcd 100644
--- a/src/lib/evas/common/evas_image_main.c
+++ b/src/lib/evas/common/evas_image_main.c
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ evas_common_rgba_image_unload(Image_Entry *ie)
    if (!ie->flags.loaded) return;
    if ((!ie->info.module) && (!ie->data1)) return;
    if (!ie->file) return;
+   if (ie->references > 0) return;
 
    ie->flags.loaded = 0;