diff --git a/src/cairo-quartz-surface.c b/src/cairo-quartz-surface.c
index 0a5c72f0d..6e5e5612b 100644
--- a/src/cairo-quartz-surface.c
+++ b/src/cairo-quartz-surface.c
@@ -970,6 +970,7 @@ _cairo_quartz_setup_pattern_source (cairo_quartz_drawing_state_t *state,
 	    _cairo_quartz_cairo_matrix_to_quartz (&m, &state->transform);
 	    state->rect = CGRectMake (0, 0, quartz_surf->extents.width, quartz_surf->extents.height);
 	    state->layer = quartz_surf->cgLayer;
+	    CGLayerRetain (state->layer); // Will be released by _cairo_quartz_teardown_state
 	    state->action = DO_LAYER;
 	    return CAIRO_STATUS_SUCCESS;
 	}
@@ -1138,7 +1139,6 @@ _cairo_quartz_setup_state (cairo_quartz_drawing_state_t *state,
     state->shading = NULL;
     state->cgDrawContext = NULL;
     state->cgMaskContext = NULL;
-    state->layer = NULL;
 
     status = _cairo_surface_clipper_set_clip (&surface->clipper, clip);
     if (unlikely (status))