diff --git a/ircd/s_conf.c b/ircd/s_conf.c
index 28cf6647..6e8cb5d5 100644
--- a/ircd/s_conf.c
+++ b/ircd/s_conf.c
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ void
 deref_conf(struct ConfItem *aconf)
 {
 	aconf->clients--;
-	if(!aconf->clients && IsIllegal(aconf))
+	if(!aconf->clients && IsIllegal(aconf) && !lookup_prop_ban(aconf))
 		free_conf(aconf);
 }