diff --git a/torch/csrc/jit/python/python_tracer.cpp b/torch/csrc/jit/python/python_tracer.cpp
index 83570c85e9b4cc2..c89d54872a07bbc 100644
--- a/torch/csrc/jit/python/python_tracer.cpp
+++ b/torch/csrc/jit/python/python_tracer.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ namespace tracer {
 std::vector<StackEntry> _pythonCallstack() {
   pybind11::gil_scoped_acquire gil;
   PyFrameObject* frame = PyEval_GetFrame();
-  Py_INCREF(frame);
+  Py_XINCREF(frame);
   std::vector<StackEntry> entries;
 
   while (nullptr != frame) {