diff --git a/libexec/rtld-elf/rtld.c b/libexec/rtld-elf/rtld.c
index fd46c2964b19..72ecab1f1eb5 100644
--- a/libexec/rtld-elf/rtld.c
+++ b/libexec/rtld-elf/rtld.c
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
  * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
  * THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  *
- *      $Id: rtld.c,v 1.23 1999/04/22 01:54:38 jdp Exp $
+ *      $Id: rtld.c,v 1.24 1999/06/25 02:53:48 jdp Exp $
  */
 
 /*
@@ -1159,9 +1159,10 @@ dlopen(const char *name, int mode)
 
     GDB_STATE(RT_ADD);
 
-    if (name == NULL)
+    if (name == NULL) {
 	obj = obj_main;
-    else {
+	obj->refcount++;
+    } else {
 	char *path = find_library(name, obj_main);
 	if (path != NULL)
 	    obj = load_object(path);