diff --git a/libcontainerd/client_linux.go b/libcontainerd/client_linux.go
index d2d91f2596..afb68b4a45 100644
--- a/libcontainerd/client_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainerd/client_linux.go
@@ -563,6 +563,8 @@ func (clnt *client) Restore(containerID string, options ...CreateOption) error {
 		clnt.remote.Lock()
 		return nil
 	}
+	// relock because of the defer
+	clnt.remote.Lock()
 
 	clnt.deleteContainer(containerID)