diff --git a/sway/container.c b/sway/container.c
index 718608fff..829fde692 100644
--- a/sway/container.c
+++ b/sway/container.c
@@ -516,10 +516,10 @@ swayc_t *destroy_view(swayc_t *view) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
 	sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Destroying view '%p'", view);
+	swayc_t *parent = view->parent;
 	free_swayc(view);
 
 	// Destroy empty containers
-	swayc_t *parent = view->parent;
 	if (parent && parent->type == C_CONTAINER) {
 		return destroy_container(parent);
 	}