diff --git a/Source/NSFont.m b/Source/NSFont.m
index b533c2fc3..2008b4ebd 100644
--- a/Source/NSFont.m
+++ b/Source/NSFont.m
@@ -606,7 +606,10 @@ setNSFont(NSString* key, NSFont* font)
     }
   else
     {
-      RELEASE(self);
+      if (self != placeHolder)
+	{
+	  RELEASE(self);
+	}
       self = RETAIN(font);
     }
   RELEASE(nameWithMatrix);