diff --git a/clutter/clutter-actor.c b/clutter/clutter-actor.c
index a4414135f..dfada09c7 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter-actor.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter-actor.c
@@ -437,6 +437,9 @@ clutter_actor_request_coords (ClutterActor    *self,
       
       if (CLUTTER_ACTOR_IS_VISIBLE (self))
 	clutter_actor_queue_redraw (self);
+
+      g_object_ref (self);
+      g_object_freeze_notify (G_OBJECT (self));
       
       if (x_change)
 	g_object_notify (G_OBJECT (self), "x");
@@ -449,6 +452,9 @@ clutter_actor_request_coords (ClutterActor    *self,
       
       if (height_change)
 	g_object_notify (G_OBJECT (self), "height");
+
+      g_object_thaw_notify (G_OBJECT (self));
+      g_object_unref (self);
     }
 }