diff --git a/sys/netinet/in_mcast.c b/sys/netinet/in_mcast.c
index bfc5e3b3869a..7d2d2bf03070 100644
--- a/sys/netinet/in_mcast.c
+++ b/sys/netinet/in_mcast.c
@@ -2211,7 +2211,11 @@ inp_join_group(struct inpcb *inp, struct sockopt *sopt)
                             __func__);
 			goto out_inp_locked;
 		}
-		inm_acquire(imf->imf_inm);
+		/*
+		 * NOTE: Refcount from in_joingroup_locked()
+		 * is protecting membership.
+		 */
+		ip_mfilter_insert(&imo->imo_head, imf);
 	} else {
 		CTR1(KTR_IGMPV3, "%s: merge inm state", __func__);
 		IN_MULTI_LIST_LOCK();
@@ -2235,8 +2239,6 @@ inp_join_group(struct inpcb *inp, struct sockopt *sopt)
 			goto out_inp_locked;
 		}
 	}
-	if (is_new)
-		ip_mfilter_insert(&imo->imo_head, imf);
 
 	imf_commit(imf);
 	imf = NULL;
diff --git a/sys/netinet6/in6_mcast.c b/sys/netinet6/in6_mcast.c
index ec33273144db..a5ef1e96d787 100644
--- a/sys/netinet6/in6_mcast.c
+++ b/sys/netinet6/in6_mcast.c
@@ -2111,6 +2111,7 @@ in6p_join_group(struct inpcb *inp, struct sockopt *sopt)
 		 * NOTE: Refcount from in6_joingroup_locked()
 		 * is protecting membership.
 		 */
+		ip6_mfilter_insert(&imo->im6o_head, imf);
 	} else {
 		CTR1(KTR_MLD, "%s: merge inm state", __func__);
 		IN6_MULTI_LIST_LOCK();
@@ -2136,9 +2137,6 @@ in6p_join_group(struct inpcb *inp, struct sockopt *sopt)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (is_new)
-		ip6_mfilter_insert(&imo->im6o_head, imf);
-
 	im6f_commit(imf);
 	imf = NULL;