diff --git a/src/libmsc/gsm_04_08.c b/src/libmsc/gsm_04_08.c
index f29c0b6..b51fd16 100644
--- a/src/libmsc/gsm_04_08.c
+++ b/src/libmsc/gsm_04_08.c
@@ -329,7 +329,6 @@
 	struct osmo_location_area_id old_lai, new_lai;
 	struct osmo_fsm_inst *lu_fsm;
 	bool is_utran;
-	int rc;
 
  	lu = (struct gsm48_loc_upd_req *) gh->data;
 
@@ -337,10 +336,21 @@
 
 	gsm48_mi_to_string(mi_string, sizeof(mi_string), lu->mi, lu->mi_len);
 
-	rc = msc_create_conn_fsm(conn, mi_string);
-	if (rc)
-		/* logging already happened in msc_create_conn_fsm() */
-		return rc;
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_is_establishing_auth_ciph(conn)) {
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR,
+		     "Cannot accept another LU, conn already busy establishing authenticity;"
+		     " extraneous LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST: MI(%s)=%s type=%s\n",
+		     gsm48_mi_type_name(mi_type), mi_string, get_value_string(lupd_names, lu->type));
+		return -EINVAL;
+	}
+
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_is_accepted(conn)) {
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR,
+		     "Cannot accept another LU, conn already established;"
+		     " extraneous LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST: MI(%s)=%s type=%s\n",
+		     gsm48_mi_type_name(mi_type), mi_string, get_value_string(lupd_names, lu->type));
+		return -EINVAL;
+	}
 
 	msc_subscr_conn_update_id(conn, COMPLETE_LAYER3_LU, mi_string);
 
@@ -420,6 +430,7 @@
 		return -EIO;
 	}
 
+	msc_subscr_conn_complete_layer_3(conn);
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -670,7 +681,11 @@
 accept_reuse:
 	DEBUGP(DMM, "%s: re-using already accepted connection\n",
 	       vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub));
-	conn->received_cm_service_request = true;
+
+	if (!conn->received_cm_service_request) {
+		conn->received_cm_service_request = true;
+		msc_subscr_conn_get(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_CM_SERVICE);
+	}
 	msc_subscr_conn_update_id(conn, conn->complete_layer3_type, mi_string);
 	return conn->network->vlr->ops.tx_cm_serv_acc(conn);
 }
@@ -698,32 +713,31 @@
 	/* unfortunately in Phase1 the classmark2 length is variable */
 	uint8_t classmark2_len = gh->data[1];
 	uint8_t *classmark2 = gh->data+2;
-	uint8_t mi_len = *(classmark2 + classmark2_len);
-	uint8_t *mi = (classmark2 + classmark2_len + 1);
+	uint8_t *mi_p = classmark2 + classmark2_len;
+	uint8_t mi_len = *mi_p;
+	uint8_t *mi = mi_p + 1;
 	struct osmo_location_area_id lai;
 	bool is_utran;
-	int rc;
 
 	lai.plmn = conn->network->plmn;
 	lai.lac = conn->lac;
 
-	DEBUGP(DMM, "<- CM SERVICE REQUEST ");
 	if (msg->data_len < sizeof(struct gsm48_service_request*)) {
-		DEBUGPC(DMM, "wrong sized message\n");
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "<- CM SERVICE REQUEST wrong sized message\n");
 		return msc_gsm48_tx_mm_serv_rej(conn,
 						GSM48_REJECT_INCORRECT_MESSAGE);
 	}
 
 	if (msg->data_len < req->mi_len + 6) {
-		DEBUGPC(DMM, "does not fit in packet\n");
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "<- CM SERVICE REQUEST does not fit in packet\n");
 		return msc_gsm48_tx_mm_serv_rej(conn,
 						GSM48_REJECT_INCORRECT_MESSAGE);
 	}
 
 	gsm48_mi_to_string(mi_string, sizeof(mi_string), mi, mi_len);
 	mi_type = mi[0] & GSM_MI_TYPE_MASK;
-	DEBUGPC(DMM, "serv_type=0x%02x MI(%s)=%s\n",
-		req->cm_service_type, gsm48_mi_type_name(mi_type), mi_string);
+	DEBUGP(DMM, "<- CM SERVICE REQUEST serv_type=0x%02x MI(%s)=%s\n",
+	       req->cm_service_type, gsm48_mi_type_name(mi_type), mi_string);
 
 	switch (mi_type) {
 	case GSM_MI_TYPE_IMSI:
@@ -754,27 +768,23 @@
 		return msc_gsm48_tx_mm_serv_rej(conn, GSM48_REJECT_SRV_OPT_NOT_SUPPORTED);
 	}
 
-	osmo_signal_dispatch(SS_SUBSCR, S_SUBSCR_IDENTITY, (classmark2 + classmark2_len));
-	memcpy(conn->classmark.classmark2, classmark2, classmark2_len);
-	conn->classmark.classmark2_len = classmark2_len;
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_is_accepted(conn))
+		return cm_serv_reuse_conn(conn, mi_p);
 
-	if (conn->fi) {
-		if (msc_subscr_conn_is_accepted(conn))
-			return cm_serv_reuse_conn(conn, mi-1);
-		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "%s: connection already in use\n",
-		     vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub));
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_is_establishing_auth_ciph(conn)) {
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR,
+		     "Cannot accept CM Service Request, conn already busy establishing authenticity\n");
 		msc_vlr_tx_cm_serv_rej(conn, VLR_PR_ARQ_RES_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
 		return -EINVAL;
+		/* or should we accept and note down the service request anyway? */
 	}
 
-	rc = msc_create_conn_fsm(conn, mi_string);
-	if (rc) {
-		msc_vlr_tx_cm_serv_rej(conn, VLR_PR_ARQ_RES_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
-		/* logging already happened in msc_create_conn_fsm() */
-		return rc;
-	}
 	msc_subscr_conn_update_id(conn, COMPLETE_LAYER3_CM_SERVICE_REQ, mi_string);
 
+	osmo_signal_dispatch(SS_SUBSCR, S_SUBSCR_IDENTITY, mi_p);
+	memcpy(conn->classmark.classmark2, classmark2, classmark2_len);
+	conn->classmark.classmark2_len = classmark2_len;
+
 	is_utran = (conn->via_ran == RAN_UTRAN_IU);
 	vlr_proc_acc_req(conn->fi,
 			 SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED, SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE, NULL,
@@ -785,6 +795,7 @@
 			 classmark_is_r99(&conn->classmark),
 			 is_utran);
 
+	msc_subscr_conn_complete_layer_3(conn);
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -1149,7 +1160,6 @@
 	uint8_t *mi_lv;
 	uint8_t mi_type;
 	char mi_string[GSM48_MI_SIZE];
-	int rc = 0;
 	struct osmo_location_area_id lai;
 	bool is_utran;
 
@@ -1159,19 +1169,26 @@
 	resp = (struct gsm48_pag_resp *) &gh->data[0];
 	gsm48_paging_extract_mi(resp, msgb_l3len(msg) - sizeof(*gh),
 				mi_string, &mi_type);
-	DEBUGP(DRR, "PAGING RESPONSE: MI(%s)=%s\n",
-		gsm48_mi_type_name(mi_type), mi_string);
+
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_is_establishing_auth_ciph(conn)) {
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR,
+		     "Ignoring Paging Response, conn already busy establishing authenticity\n");
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_is_accepted(conn)) {
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "Ignoring Paging Response, conn already established\n");
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	DEBUGP(DRR, "PAGING RESPONSE: MI(%s)=%s\n", gsm48_mi_type_name(mi_type), mi_string);
 
 	mi_lv = gsm48_cm2_get_mi(classmark2_lv, msgb_l3len(msg) - sizeof(*gh));
 	if (!mi_lv) {
-		/* FIXME */
+		LOGP(DRR, LOGL_ERROR, "PAGING RESPONSE: invalid Mobile Identity\n");
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	rc = msc_create_conn_fsm(conn, mi_string);
-	if (rc)
-		/* logging already happened in msc_create_conn_fsm() */
-		return rc;
 	msc_subscr_conn_update_id(conn, COMPLETE_LAYER3_PAGING_RESP, mi_string);
 
 	memcpy(conn->classmark.classmark2, classmark2_lv+1, *classmark2_lv);
@@ -1187,6 +1204,7 @@
 			 classmark_is_r99(&conn->classmark),
 			 is_utran);
 
+	msc_subscr_conn_complete_layer_3(conn);
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -3347,6 +3365,7 @@
 		       gsm48_pdisc_msgtype_name(pdisc, msg_type));
 	}
 	conn->received_cm_service_request = false;
+	msc_subscr_conn_put(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_CM_SERVICE);
 }
 
 /* TS 24.007 11.2.3.2.3 Message Type Octet / Duplicate Detection */
@@ -3590,7 +3609,7 @@
 {
 	uint8_t cause;
 	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = msc_conn_ref;
-	conn->received_cm_service_request = false;
+	int rc;
 
 	switch (result) {
 	default:
@@ -3616,7 +3635,14 @@
 		break;
 	};
 
-	return msc_gsm48_tx_mm_serv_rej(conn, cause);
+	rc = msc_gsm48_tx_mm_serv_rej(conn, cause);
+
+	if (conn->received_cm_service_request) {
+		conn->received_cm_service_request = false;
+		msc_subscr_conn_put(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_CM_SERVICE);
+	}
+
+	return rc;
 }
 
 /* For msc_vlr_set_ciph_mode() */
diff --git a/src/libmsc/msc_ifaces.c b/src/libmsc/msc_ifaces.c
index b2606b6..b76cdb4 100644
--- a/src/libmsc/msc_ifaces.c
+++ b/src/libmsc/msc_ifaces.c
@@ -114,8 +114,6 @@
 	if (!conn)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
-	conn->received_cm_service_request = false;
-
 	msg = gsm48_create_mm_serv_rej(value);
 	if (!msg) {
 		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "Failed to allocate CM Service Reject.\n");
diff --git a/src/libmsc/osmo_msc.c b/src/libmsc/osmo_msc.c
index 34f705c..a5184b2 100644
--- a/src/libmsc/osmo_msc.c
+++ b/src/libmsc/osmo_msc.c
@@ -84,22 +84,6 @@
 		gsm411_sapi_n_reject(conn);
 }
 
-void subscr_conn_release_when_unused(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
-{
-	if (!conn)
-		return;
-	if (!conn->fi)
-		return;
-	if (!(conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED
-	      || conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_COMMUNICATING)) {
-		DEBUGP(DMM, "%s: %s: conn still being established (%s)\n",
-		       vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub), __func__,
-		       osmo_fsm_inst_state_name(conn->fi));
-		return;
-	}
-	osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_RELEASE_WHEN_UNUSED, NULL);
-}
-
 /* receive a Level 3 Complete message and return MSC_CONN_ACCEPT or
  * MSC_CONN_REJECT */
 int msc_compl_l3(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn,
@@ -108,9 +92,6 @@
 	msc_subscr_conn_get(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_COMPL_L3);
 	gsm0408_dispatch(conn, msg);
 
-	subscr_conn_release_when_unused(conn);
-
-	/* If this should be kept, the conn->fi has placed a use_count */
 	msc_subscr_conn_put(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_COMPL_L3);
 
 	/* Always return acceptance, because even if the conn was not accepted,
@@ -142,7 +123,6 @@
 	msc_subscr_conn_get(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_DTAP);
 	gsm0408_dispatch(conn, msg);
 
-	subscr_conn_release_when_unused(conn);
 	msc_subscr_conn_put(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_DTAP);
 }
 
@@ -232,63 +212,6 @@
 	vlr_subscr_rx_ciph_res(conn->vsub, &ciph_res);
 }
 
-struct gsm_subscriber_connection *msc_subscr_con_allocate(struct gsm_network *network)
-{
-	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn;
-
-	conn = talloc_zero(network, struct gsm_subscriber_connection);
-	if (!conn)
-		return NULL;
-
-	conn->network = network;
-	llist_add_tail(&conn->entry, &network->subscr_conns);
-	return conn;
-}
-
-void msc_subscr_cleanup(struct vlr_subscr *vsub)
-{
-	if (!vsub)
-		return;
-	vsub->lu_fsm = NULL;
-}
-
-void msc_subscr_con_cleanup(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
-{
-	if (!conn)
-		return;
-
-	if (conn->vsub) {
-		DEBUGP(DRLL, "subscr %s: Freeing subscriber connection\n",
-		       vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub));
-		msc_subscr_cleanup(conn->vsub);
-		conn->vsub->msc_conn_ref = NULL;
-		vlr_subscr_put(conn->vsub);
-		conn->vsub = NULL;
-	} else
-		DEBUGP(DRLL, "Freeing subscriber connection"
-		       " with NULL subscriber\n");
-
-	if (!conn->fi)
-		return;
-
-	osmo_fsm_inst_term(conn->fi,
-			   (conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED)
-				? OSMO_FSM_TERM_REGULAR
-				: OSMO_FSM_TERM_ERROR,
-			   NULL);
-}
-
-void msc_subscr_con_free(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
-{
-	if (!conn)
-		return;
-
-	msc_subscr_con_cleanup(conn);
-
-	llist_del(&conn->entry);
-	talloc_free(conn);
-}
-
 /* Receive a CLEAR REQUEST from BSC */
 int msc_clear_request(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn, uint32_t cause)
 {
@@ -296,66 +219,6 @@
 	return 1;
 }
 
-static void msc_subscr_conn_release_all(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn, uint32_t cause)
-{
-	if (conn->in_release)
-		return;
-	conn->in_release = true;
-
-	/* If we're closing in a middle of a trans, we need to clean up */
-	trans_conn_closed(conn);
-
-	switch (conn->via_ran) {
-	case RAN_UTRAN_IU:
-		ranap_iu_tx_release(conn->iu.ue_ctx, NULL);
-		/* FIXME: keep the conn until the Iu Release Outcome is
-		 * received from the UE, or a timeout expires. For now, the log
-		 * says "unknown UE" for each release outcome. */
-		break;
-	case RAN_GERAN_A:
-		a_iface_tx_clear_cmd(conn);
-		break;
-	default:
-		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "%s: Unknown RAN type, cannot tx release/clear\n",
-		     vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub));
-		break;
-	}
-}
-
-/* If the conn->fi is still present, dispatch SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE
- * event to gracefully terminate the connection. If the fi is already
- * cleared, call msc_subscr_conn_release_all() to take release actions.
- * \param cause  a GSM_CAUSE_* constant, e.g. GSM_CAUSE_AUTH_FAILED.
- */
-void msc_subscr_conn_close(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn,
-			   uint32_t cause)
-{
-	if (!conn)
-		return;
-	if (conn->in_release) {
-		DEBUGP(DMM, "msc_subscr_conn_close(vsub=%s, cause=%u):"
-		       " already dispatching release, ignore.\n",
-		       vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub), cause);
-		return;
-	}
-	if (!conn->fi) {
-		DEBUGP(DMM, "msc_subscr_conn_close(vsub=%s, cause=%u): no conn fsm,"
-		       " releasing directly without release event.\n",
-		       vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub), cause);
-		/* In case of an IMSI Detach, we don't have fi. Release
-		 * anyway to ensure a timely Iu Release / BSSMAP Clear. */
-		msc_subscr_conn_release_all(conn, cause);
-		return;
-	}
-	if (conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED) {
-		DEBUGP(DMM, "msc_subscr_conn_close(vsub=%s, cause=%u):"
-		       " conn fsm already releasing, ignore.\n",
-		       vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub), cause);
-		return;
-	}
-	osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE, &cause);
-}
-
 /* increment the ref-count. Needs to be called by every user */
 struct gsm_subscriber_connection *
 _msc_subscr_conn_get(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn,
@@ -364,12 +227,6 @@
 {
 	OSMO_ASSERT(conn);
 
-	if (conn->in_release)
-		LOGPSRC(DREF, LOGL_ERROR, file, line,
-			"%s: MSC conn use error: using conn that is already in release (%s)\n",
-			vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub),
-			msc_subscr_conn_use_name(balance_token));
-
 	if (balance_token != MSC_CONN_USE_UNTRACKED) {
 		uint32_t flag = 1 << balance_token;
 		OSMO_ASSERT(balance_token < 32);
@@ -423,18 +280,20 @@
 		conn->use_count, conn->use_tokens);
 
 	if (conn->use_count == 0)
-		msc_subscr_con_free(conn);
+		osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED, NULL);
 }
 
 const struct value_string msc_subscr_conn_use_names[] = {
 	{MSC_CONN_USE_UNTRACKED,	"UNTRACKED"},
 	{MSC_CONN_USE_COMPL_L3,		"compl_l3"},
 	{MSC_CONN_USE_DTAP,		"dtap"},
-	{MSC_CONN_USE_FSM,		"fsm"},
+	{MSC_CONN_USE_AUTH_CIPH,	"auth+ciph"},
+	{MSC_CONN_USE_CM_SERVICE,	"cm_service"},
 	{MSC_CONN_USE_TRANS_CC,		"trans_cc"},
 	{MSC_CONN_USE_TRANS_SMS,	"trans_sms"},
 	{MSC_CONN_USE_TRANS_USSD,	"trans_ussd"},
 	{MSC_CONN_USE_SILENT_CALL,	"silent_call"},
+	{MSC_CONN_USE_RELEASE,		"release"},
 	{0, NULL},
 };
 
diff --git a/src/libmsc/subscr_conn.c b/src/libmsc/subscr_conn.c
index 5629d26..e3a6b24 100644
--- a/src/libmsc/subscr_conn.c
+++ b/src/libmsc/subscr_conn.c
@@ -33,106 +33,147 @@
 #include <osmocom/msc/a_iface.h>
 #include <osmocom/msc/iucs.h>
 
+#include "../../bscconfig.h"
+#ifdef BUILD_IU
+#include <osmocom/ranap/iu_client.h>
+#else
+#include <osmocom/msc/iu_dummy.h>
+#endif
+
 #define SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT 5 /* seconds */
 
 static const struct value_string subscr_conn_fsm_event_names[] = {
 	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_INVALID),
-	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_START),
+	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMPLETE_LAYER_3),
 	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED),
 	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMMUNICATING),
 	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_RELEASE_WHEN_UNUSED),
 	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE),
 	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE),
+	OSMO_VALUE_STRING(SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED),
 	{ 0, NULL }
 };
 
-static void paging_event(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn,
-			 enum gsm_paging_event pe)
-{
-	subscr_paging_dispatch(GSM_HOOK_RR_PAGING, pe, NULL, conn, conn->vsub);
-}
-
-void subscr_conn_fsm_init(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
-{
-	OSMO_ASSERT(event == SUBSCR_CONN_E_START);
-	osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_NEW,
-				SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
-}
-
-void subscr_conn_fsm_new(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
+static void update_counters(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, bool conn_accepted)
 {
 	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = fi->priv;
-	bool success;
-
-	/* If accepted, transition the state, all other cases mean failure. */
-	switch (event) {
-	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED:
-		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED,
-					SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
+	switch (conn->complete_layer3_type) {
+	case COMPLETE_LAYER3_LU:
+		rate_ctr_inc(&conn->network->msc_ctrs->ctr[
+				conn_accepted ? MSC_CTR_LOC_UPDATE_COMPLETED
+					      : MSC_CTR_LOC_UPDATE_FAILED]);
 		break;
+	case COMPLETE_LAYER3_CM_SERVICE_REQ:
+		rate_ctr_inc(&conn->network->msc_ctrs->ctr[
+				conn_accepted ? MSC_CTR_CM_SERVICE_REQUEST_ACCEPTED
+					      : MSC_CTR_CM_SERVICE_REQUEST_REJECTED]);
+		break;
+	case COMPLETE_LAYER3_PAGING_RESP:
+		rate_ctr_inc(&conn->network->msc_ctrs->ctr[
+				conn_accepted ? MSC_CTR_PAGING_RESP_ACCEPTED
+					      : MSC_CTR_PAGING_RESP_REJECTED]);
+		break;
+	default:
+		break;
+	}
+}
+
+static void evaluate_acceptance_outcome(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, bool conn_accepted)
+{
+	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = fi->priv;
+
+	update_counters(fi, conn_accepted);
+
+	/* Trigger transactions that we paged for */
+	if (conn->complete_layer3_type == COMPLETE_LAYER3_PAGING_RESP) {
+		subscr_paging_dispatch(GSM_HOOK_RR_PAGING,
+				       conn_accepted ? GSM_PAGING_SUCCEEDED : GSM_PAGING_EXPIRED,
+				       NULL, conn, conn->vsub);
+	}
+
+	if (conn->complete_layer3_type == COMPLETE_LAYER3_CM_SERVICE_REQ
+	    && conn_accepted) {
+		conn->received_cm_service_request = true;
+		msc_subscr_conn_get(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_CM_SERVICE);
+	}
+
+	if (conn_accepted)
+		osmo_signal_dispatch(SS_SUBSCR, S_SUBSCR_ATTACHED, conn->vsub);
+}
+
+static void log_close_event(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
+{
+	if (data)
+		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_DEBUG, "Close event, cause %u\n", *(uint32_t*)data);
+}
+
+static void subscr_conn_fsm_new(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
+{
+	switch (event) {
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMPLETE_LAYER_3:
+		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_AUTH_CIPH, SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
+		return;
+
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED:
+		evaluate_acceptance_outcome(fi, true);
+		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED, SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
+		return;
 
 	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE:
 	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE:
-		if (data)
-			LOGPFSM(fi, "Close event, cause %u\n",
-				*(uint32_t*)data);
-		/* will release further below, see
-		 * 'if (fi->state != SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED)' */
-		break;
+		log_close_event(fi, event, data);
+		evaluate_acceptance_outcome(fi, false);
+		/* fall through */
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED:
+		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING, SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
+		return;
 
 	default:
-		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_ERROR,
-			 "Unexpected event: %d %s\n", event,
-			 osmo_fsm_event_name(fi->fsm, event));
-		break;
+		OSMO_ASSERT(false);
 	}
-
-	success = (fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED);
-
-	if (conn->complete_layer3_type == COMPLETE_LAYER3_LU)
-		rate_ctr_inc(&conn->network->msc_ctrs->ctr[
-		             	success ? MSC_CTR_LOC_UPDATE_COMPLETED
-					: MSC_CTR_LOC_UPDATE_FAILED]);
-
-	/* signal paging success or failure in case this was a paging */
-	if (conn->complete_layer3_type == COMPLETE_LAYER3_PAGING_RESP)
-		paging_event(conn,
-			     success ? GSM_PAGING_SUCCEEDED
-			     	     : GSM_PAGING_EXPIRED);
-
-	/* FIXME rate counters */
-	/*rate_ctr_inc(&conn->network->msc_ctrs->ctr[MSC_CTR_LOC_UPDATE_COMPLETED]);*/
-
-	/* On failure, discard the conn */
-	if (!success) {
-		/* TODO: on MO_CLOSE or CN_CLOSE, first go to RELEASING and
-		 * await BSC/RNC confirmation? */
-		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED, 0, 0);
-		return;
-	}
-
-	if (conn->complete_layer3_type == COMPLETE_LAYER3_CM_SERVICE_REQ) {
-		conn->received_cm_service_request = true;
-		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_DEBUG, "received_cm_service_request = true\n");
-	}
-
-	osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_RELEASE_WHEN_UNUSED, data);
 }
 
-static void subscr_conn_fsm_release_when_unused(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
+void subscr_conn_fsm_auth_ciph(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
+{
+	/* If accepted, transition the state, all other cases mean failure. */
+	switch (event) {
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED:
+		evaluate_acceptance_outcome(fi, true);
+		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED, SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
+		return;
+
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED:
+		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_DEBUG, "Awaiting results for Auth+Ciph, overruling event %s\n",
+			 osmo_fsm_event_name(fi->fsm, event));
+		return;
+
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE:
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE:
+		log_close_event(fi, event, data);
+		evaluate_acceptance_outcome(fi, false);
+		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING, SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
+		return;
+
+
+	default:
+		OSMO_ASSERT(false);
+	}
+}
+
+static bool subscr_conn_fsm_has_active_transactions(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi)
 {
 	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = fi->priv;
 	struct gsm_trans *trans;
 
 	if (conn->silent_call) {
 		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_DEBUG, "%s: silent call still active\n", __func__);
-		return;
+		return true;
 	}
 
 	if (conn->received_cm_service_request) {
 		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_DEBUG, "%s: still awaiting first request after a CM Service Request\n",
 			 __func__);
-		return;
+		return true;
 	}
 
 	if (conn->vsub && !llist_empty(&conn->vsub->cs.requests)) {
@@ -143,24 +184,23 @@
 					 __func__, sr->label);
 			}
 		}
-		return;
+		return true;
 	}
 
 	if ((trans = trans_has_conn(conn))) {
 		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_DEBUG,
 			 "%s: connection still has active transaction: %s\n",
 			 __func__, gsm48_pdisc_name(trans->protocol));
-		return;
+		return true;
 	}
 
-	LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_DEBUG, "%s: releasing conn\n", __func__);
-	osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED, 0, 0);
+	return false;
 }
 
 static void subscr_conn_fsm_accepted_enter(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t prev_state)
 {
-	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = fi->priv;
-	osmo_signal_dispatch(SS_SUBSCR, S_SUBSCR_ATTACHED, conn->vsub);
+	if (!subscr_conn_fsm_has_active_transactions(fi))
+		osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED, NULL);
 }
 
 static void subscr_conn_fsm_accepted(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
@@ -170,17 +210,17 @@
 		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_COMMUNICATING, 0, 0);
 		return;
 
-	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_RELEASE_WHEN_UNUSED:
-		subscr_conn_fsm_release_when_unused(fi, event, data);
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE:
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE:
+		log_close_event(fi, event, data);
+		/* fall through */
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED:
+		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING, SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
 		return;
 
 	default:
-		break;
+		OSMO_ASSERT(false);
 	}
-	/* Whatever unexpected happens in the accepted state, it means release.
-	 * Even if an unexpected event is passed, the safest thing to do is
-	 * discard the conn. We don't expect another SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED. */
-	osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED, 0, 0);
 }
 
 static void subscr_conn_fsm_communicating(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
@@ -190,64 +230,107 @@
 		/* no-op */
 		return;
 
-	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_RELEASE_WHEN_UNUSED:
-		subscr_conn_fsm_release_when_unused(fi, event, data);
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE:
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE:
+		log_close_event(fi, event, data);
+		/* fall through */
+	case SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED:
+		osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING, SUBSCR_CONN_TIMEOUT, 0);
 		return;
 
 	default:
-		break;
+		OSMO_ASSERT(false);
 	}
-	/* Whatever unexpected happens in the accepted state, it means release.
-	 * Even if an unexpected event is passed, the safest thing to do is
-	 * discard the conn. We don't expect another SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED. */
-	osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED, 0, 0);
 }
 
-static void subscr_conn_fsm_cleanup(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi,
-				    enum osmo_fsm_term_cause cause)
+static int subscr_conn_fsm_timeout(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi)
 {
 	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = fi->priv;
-	fi->priv = NULL;
-
-	if (!conn)
-		return;
-	conn->fi = NULL;
- 	msc_subscr_conn_close(conn, cause);
-	msc_subscr_conn_put(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_FSM);
-}
-
-int subscr_conn_fsm_timeout(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi)
-{
-	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = fi->priv;
-	if (conn)
-		vlr_subscr_conn_timeout(conn->vsub);
-	else
-		osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE, NULL);
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_in_release(conn)) {
+		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_ERROR, "Timeout while releasing, discarding right now\n");
+		osmo_fsm_inst_term(fi, OSMO_FSM_TERM_TIMEOUT, NULL);
+	} else {
+		uint32_t cause = GSM_CAUSE_NET_FAIL;
+		osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE, &cause);
+	}
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static void subscr_conn_fsm_release(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t prev_state)
+static void subscr_conn_fsm_releasing_onenter(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t prev_state)
 {
+	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = fi->priv;
+
+	/* While we're still checking on release, prevent a last use count decrement from deallocating */
+	msc_subscr_conn_get(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_RELEASE);
+
+	/* Cancel pending CM Service Requests */
+	if (conn->received_cm_service_request) {
+		conn->received_cm_service_request = false;
+		msc_subscr_conn_put(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_CM_SERVICE);
+	}
+
+	/* Cancel all VLR FSMs, if any */
+	vlr_subscr_conn_timeout(conn->vsub);
+
+	/* If we're closing in a middle of a trans, we need to clean up */
+	trans_conn_closed(conn);
+
+	switch (conn->via_ran) {
+	case RAN_GERAN_A:
+		a_iface_tx_clear_cmd(conn);
+		break;
+	case RAN_UTRAN_IU:
+		ranap_iu_tx_release(conn->iu.ue_ctx, NULL);
+		break;
+	default:
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "%s: Unknown RAN type, cannot tx release/clear\n",
+		     vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub));
+		break;
+	}
+
+	/* FIXME: keep the conn until the Iu Release Outcome is
+	 * received from the UE, or a timeout expires. For now, the log
+	 * says "unknown UE" for each release outcome. */
+	msc_subscr_conn_put(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_RELEASE);
+}
+
+static void subscr_conn_fsm_releasing(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t event, void *data)
+{
+	OSMO_ASSERT(event == SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED);
+	osmo_fsm_inst_state_chg(fi, SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED, 0, 0);
+}
+
+static void subscr_conn_fsm_released(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, uint32_t prev_state)
+{
+	/* Terminate, deallocate and also deallocate the gsm_subscriber_connection, which is allocated as
+	 * a talloc child of fi. Also calls the cleanup function. */
 	osmo_fsm_inst_term(fi, OSMO_FSM_TERM_REGULAR, NULL);
 }
 
 #define S(x)	(1 << (x))
 
 static const struct osmo_fsm_state subscr_conn_fsm_states[] = {
-	[SUBSCR_CONN_S_INIT] = {
-		.name = OSMO_STRINGIFY(SUBSCR_CONN_S_INIT),
-		.in_event_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_START),
-		.out_state_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_NEW),
-		.action = subscr_conn_fsm_init,
-	},
 	[SUBSCR_CONN_S_NEW] = {
 		.name = OSMO_STRINGIFY(SUBSCR_CONN_S_NEW),
+		.in_event_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMPLETE_LAYER_3) |
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED) |
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE) |
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE) |
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED),
+		.out_state_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_AUTH_CIPH) |
+				  S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED) |
+				  S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING),
+		.action = subscr_conn_fsm_new,
+	},
+	[SUBSCR_CONN_S_AUTH_CIPH] = {
+		.name = OSMO_STRINGIFY(SUBSCR_CONN_S_AUTH_CIPH),
 		.in_event_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED) |
 				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE) |
-				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE),
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE) |
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED),
 		.out_state_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED) |
-				  S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED),
-		.action = subscr_conn_fsm_new,
+				  S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING),
+		.action = subscr_conn_fsm_auth_ciph,
 	},
 	[SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED] = {
 		.name = OSMO_STRINGIFY(SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED),
@@ -256,8 +339,9 @@
 		                 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_RELEASE_WHEN_UNUSED) |
 				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED) |
 				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE) |
-				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE),
-		.out_state_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED) |
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE) |
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED),
+		.out_state_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING) |
 				  S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_COMMUNICATING),
 		.onenter = subscr_conn_fsm_accepted_enter,
 		.action = subscr_conn_fsm_accepted,
@@ -269,16 +353,26 @@
 				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_ACCEPTED) |
 				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMMUNICATING) |
 				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_MO_CLOSE) |
-				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE),
-		.out_state_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED),
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE) |
+				 S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED),
+		.out_state_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING),
 		.action = subscr_conn_fsm_communicating,
 	},
+	[SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING] = {
+		.name = OSMO_STRINGIFY(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING),
+		.in_event_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_E_UNUSED),
+		.out_state_mask = S(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED),
+		.onenter = subscr_conn_fsm_releasing_onenter,
+		.action = subscr_conn_fsm_releasing,
+	},
 	[SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED] = {
 		.name = OSMO_STRINGIFY(SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED),
-		.onenter = subscr_conn_fsm_release,
+		.onenter = subscr_conn_fsm_released,
 	},
 };
 
+static void subscr_conn_fsm_cleanup(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, enum osmo_fsm_term_cause cause);
+
 static struct osmo_fsm subscr_conn_fsm = {
 	.name = "Subscr_Conn",
 	.states = subscr_conn_fsm_states,
@@ -310,34 +404,79 @@
 	return id;
 }
 
-int msc_create_conn_fsm(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn, const char *id)
+/* Tidy up before the FSM deallocates */
+static void subscr_conn_fsm_cleanup(struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi, enum osmo_fsm_term_cause cause)
 {
-	struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi;
-	OSMO_ASSERT(conn);
+	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn = fi->priv;
 
-	if (conn->fi) {
-		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR,
-		     "%s: Error: connection already in use\n", id);
-		return -EINVAL;
+	if (subscr_conn_fsm_has_active_transactions(fi))
+		LOGPFSML(fi, LOGL_ERROR, "Deallocating despite active transactions\n");
+
+	if (!conn) {
+		LOGP(DRLL, LOGL_ERROR, "Freeing NULL subscriber connection\n");
+		return;
 	}
 
-	/* Allocate the FSM not with the subscr_conn. Semantically it would
-	 * make sense, but in subscr_conn_fsm_cleanup(), we want to discard the
-	 * subscriber connection. If the FSM is freed along with the subscriber
-	 * connection, then in _osmo_fsm_inst_term() the osmo_fsm_inst_free()
-	 * that follows the cleanup() call would run into a double free. */
-	fi = osmo_fsm_inst_alloc(&subscr_conn_fsm, conn->network,
-				 msc_subscr_conn_get(conn, MSC_CONN_USE_FSM),
-				 LOGL_DEBUG, id);
+	if (conn->vsub) {
+		DEBUGP(DRLL, "%s: Freeing subscriber connection\n", vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub));
+		conn->vsub->lu_fsm = NULL;
+		conn->vsub->msc_conn_ref = NULL;
+		vlr_subscr_put(conn->vsub);
+		conn->vsub = NULL;
+	} else
+		DEBUGP(DRLL, "Freeing subscriber connection with NULL subscriber\n");
 
-	if (!fi) {
-		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR,
-		     "%s: Failed to allocate subscr conn master FSM\n", id);
-		return -ENOMEM;
+	llist_del(&conn->entry);
+}
+
+/* Signal success of Complete Layer 3. Allow to keep the conn open for Auth and Ciph. */
+void msc_subscr_conn_complete_layer_3(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
+{
+	if (!conn)
+		return;
+	osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMPLETE_LAYER_3, NULL);
+}
+
+void subscr_conn_release_when_unused(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
+{
+	if (!conn)
+		return;
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_in_release(conn)) {
+		DEBUGP(DMM, "%s: %s: conn already in release (%s)\n",
+		       vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub), __func__,
+		       osmo_fsm_inst_state_name(conn->fi));
+		return;
 	}
-	conn->fi = fi;
-	osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_START, NULL);
-	return 0;
+	if (conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_NEW) {
+		DEBUGP(DMM, "%s: %s: conn still being established (%s)\n",
+		       vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub), __func__,
+		       osmo_fsm_inst_state_name(conn->fi));
+		return;
+	}
+	osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_RELEASE_WHEN_UNUSED, NULL);
+}
+
+void msc_subscr_conn_close(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn, uint32_t cause)
+{
+	if (!conn) {
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "Cannot release NULL connection\n");
+		return;
+	}
+	if (msc_subscr_conn_in_release(conn)) {
+		DEBUGP(DMM, "%s(vsub=%s, cause=%u): already in release, ignore.\n",
+		       __func__, vlr_subscr_name(conn->vsub), cause);
+		return;
+	}
+	osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_CN_CLOSE, &cause);
+}
+
+bool msc_subscr_conn_in_release(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
+{
+	if (conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASING)
+		return true;
+	if (conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_RELEASED)
+		return true;
+	return false;
 }
 
 bool msc_subscr_conn_is_accepted(const struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
@@ -346,22 +485,16 @@
 		return false;
 	if (!conn->vsub)
 		return false;
-	if (!conn->fi)
-		return false;
 	if (!(conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_ACCEPTED
 	      || conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_COMMUNICATING))
 		return false;
 	return true;
 }
 
+/* Indicate that *some* communication is happening with the phone. */
 void msc_subscr_conn_communicating(struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
 {
-	OSMO_ASSERT(conn);
-	/* This function is called to indicate that *some* communication is happening with the phone.
-	 * Late in the process, that may be a Release Confirm and the FSM and conn are already in
-	 * teardown. No need to signal SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMMUNICATING then. */
-	if (conn->fi)
-		osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMMUNICATING, NULL);
+	osmo_fsm_inst_dispatch(conn->fi, SUBSCR_CONN_E_COMMUNICATING, NULL);
 }
 
 void msc_subscr_conn_init(void)
@@ -369,26 +502,48 @@
 	osmo_fsm_register(&subscr_conn_fsm);
 }
 
-/* Allocate a new subscriber conn. */
+/* Allocate a new subscriber conn and FSM.
+ * Deallocation is by msc_subscr_conn_put(): when the use count reaches zero, the
+ * SUBSCR_CONN_E_RELEASE_COMPLETE event is dispatched, the FSM terminates and deallocates both FSM and
+ * conn. As long as the FSM is waiting for responses from the subscriber, it will itself hold a use count
+ * on the conn. */
 struct gsm_subscriber_connection *msc_subscr_conn_alloc(struct gsm_network *network,
 							enum ran_type via_ran, uint16_t lac)
 {
 	struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn;
+	struct osmo_fsm_inst *fi;
 
-	conn = talloc_zero(network, struct gsm_subscriber_connection);
-	if (!conn)
+	fi = osmo_fsm_inst_alloc(&subscr_conn_fsm, network, NULL, LOGL_DEBUG, NULL);
+	if (!fi) {
+		LOGP(DMM, LOGL_ERROR, "Failed to allocate conn FSM\n");
 		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	conn = talloc_zero(fi, struct gsm_subscriber_connection);
+	if (!conn) {
+		osmo_fsm_inst_free(fi);
+		return NULL;
+	}
 
 	*conn = (struct gsm_subscriber_connection){
 		.network = network,
 		.via_ran = via_ran,
 		.lac = lac,
+		.fi = fi,
 	};
 
+	fi->priv = conn;
 	llist_add_tail(&conn->entry, &network->subscr_conns);
 	return conn;
 }
 
+bool msc_subscr_conn_is_establishing_auth_ciph(const struct gsm_subscriber_connection *conn)
+{
+	if (!conn)
+		return false;
+	return conn->fi->state == SUBSCR_CONN_S_AUTH_CIPH;
+}
+
 const struct value_string complete_layer3_type_names[] = {
 	{ COMPLETE_LAYER3_NONE, "NONE" },
 	{ COMPLETE_LAYER3_LU, "LU" },
diff --git a/src/libmsc/transaction.c b/src/libmsc/transaction.c
index 147099e..28da9f3 100644
--- a/src/libmsc/transaction.c
+++ b/src/libmsc/transaction.c
@@ -140,17 +140,13 @@
 		trans->vsub = NULL;
 	}
 
-	llist_del(&trans->entry);
-
-	if (trans->conn)
-		msc_subscr_conn_put(trans->conn, conn_usage_token);
-
 	conn = trans->conn;
 	trans->conn = NULL;
+	llist_del(&trans->entry);
 	talloc_free(trans);
 
-	/* Possibly this was the last transaction used by this conn. */
-	subscr_conn_release_when_unused(conn);
+	if (conn)
+		msc_subscr_conn_put(conn, conn_usage_token);
 }
 
 /*! allocate an unused transaction ID for the given subscriber