diff --git a/src/jdk.jdwp.agent/share/native/libjdwp/commonRef.c b/src/jdk.jdwp.agent/share/native/libjdwp/commonRef.c
index 054b736e46b..be52477e44c 100644
--- a/src/jdk.jdwp.agent/share/native/libjdwp/commonRef.c
+++ b/src/jdk.jdwp.agent/share/native/libjdwp/commonRef.c
@@ -205,7 +205,9 @@ weakenNode(JNIEnv *env, RefNode *node)
         }
         return weakRef;
     } else {
-        node->strongCount--;
+        if (node->strongCount > 0) {
+          node->strongCount--;
+        }
         return node->ref;
     }
 }