diff --git a/clutter/clutter-actor.c b/clutter/clutter-actor.c
index 509a8076c..5f6e801ca 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter-actor.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter-actor.c
@@ -5328,9 +5328,13 @@ clutter_actor_real_destroy (ClutterActor *actor)
 {
   ClutterActorIter iter;
 
+  g_object_freeze_notify (G_OBJECT (actor));
+
   clutter_actor_iter_init (&iter, actor);
   while (clutter_actor_iter_next (&iter, NULL))
     clutter_actor_iter_destroy (&iter);
+
+  g_object_thaw_notify (G_OBJECT (actor));
 }
 
 static GObject *