diff --git a/openbsc/src/abis_rsl.c b/openbsc/src/abis_rsl.c
index 9cf34b4..ba1be99 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/abis_rsl.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/abis_rsl.c
@@ -727,7 +727,6 @@
 			     link_id, 0);
 	msgb_tv_put(msg, RSL_IE_RELEASE_MODE, 0);	/* normal release */
 
-	rsl_lchan_set_state(lchan, LCHAN_S_REL_REQ);
 	/* FIXME: start some timer in case we don't receive a REL ACK ? */
 
 	msg->trx = lchan->ts->trx;
diff --git a/openbsc/src/chan_alloc.c b/openbsc/src/chan_alloc.c
index cd48e43..118deca 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/chan_alloc.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/chan_alloc.c
@@ -348,6 +348,7 @@
 			lchan->conn.use_count);
 
 	DEBUGP(DRLL, "%s Recycling Channel\n", gsm_lchan_name(lchan));
+	rsl_lchan_set_state(lchan, LCHAN_S_REL_REQ);
 	rsl_release_request(lchan, 0);
 	return 1;
 }