diff --git a/variable.c b/variable.c
index 63c5f2aeab..10b885070c 100644
--- a/variable.c
+++ b/variable.c
@@ -2141,7 +2141,7 @@ autoload_sleep_done(VALUE arg)
     struct autoload_state *state = (struct autoload_state *)arg;
 
     if (state->thread != Qfalse && rb_thread_to_be_killed(state->thread)) {
-	list_del_init(&state->waitq.node); /* idempotent */
+	list_del(&state->waitq.node); /* idempotent after list_del_init */
     }
 
     return Qfalse;