diff --git a/openbsc/src/gsm_subscriber_base.c b/openbsc/src/gsm_subscriber_base.c
index 3136ebe..e3a04f3 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/gsm_subscriber_base.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/gsm_subscriber_base.c
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
 	subscr->use_count--;
 	DEBUGP(DREF, "subscr %s usage decreased usage to: %d\n",
 			subscr->extension, subscr->use_count);
-	if (subscr->use_count <= 0)
+	if (subscr->use_count <= 0 && !subscr->net->keep_subscr)
 		subscr_free(subscr);
 	return NULL;
 }