diff --git a/compyle/ext_module.py b/compyle/ext_module.py
index e6d13f4..c0a1646 100644
--- a/compyle/ext_module.py
+++ b/compyle/ext_module.py
@@ -163,9 +163,9 @@ def _lock(self, timeout=90):
         try:
             yield
         finally:
-            self.lck.release()
             if exists(self.lock_path):
                 os.remove(self.lock_path)
+            self.lck.release()
 
     def _write_source(self, path):
         if not exists(path):