diff --git a/src/ipa/raspberrypi/controller/rpi/awb.cpp b/src/ipa/raspberrypi/controller/rpi/awb.cpp
index 4f6af4ba..04d1c878 100644
--- a/src/ipa/raspberrypi/controller/rpi/awb.cpp
+++ b/src/ipa/raspberrypi/controller/rpi/awb.cpp
@@ -427,11 +427,6 @@ void Awb::prepareStats()
 	 */
 	generateStats(zones_, statistics_->awb_stats, config_.minPixels,
 		      config_.minG);
-	/*
-	 * we're done with these; we may as well relinquish our hold on the
-	 * pointer.
-	 */
-	statistics_.reset();
 	/*
 	 * apply sensitivities, so values appear to come from our "canonical"
 	 * sensor.
@@ -728,6 +723,11 @@ void Awb::doAwb()
 			<< " with gains r " << asyncResults_.gainR
 			<< " and b " << asyncResults_.gainB;
 	}
+	/*
+	 * we're done with these; we may as well relinquish our hold on the
+	 * pointer.
+	 */
+	statistics_.reset();
 }
 
 /* Register algorithm with the system. */