diff --git a/src/save.c b/src/save.c
index b98194da7..1497c4d5b 100644
--- a/src/save.c
+++ b/src/save.c
@@ -1213,7 +1213,6 @@ freedynamicdata(void)
 
     /* move-specific data */
     dmonsfree(); /* release dead monsters */
-    dobjsfree();
     alloc_itermonarr(0U); /* a request of 0 releases existing allocation */
 
     /* level-specific data */
@@ -1226,6 +1225,8 @@ freedynamicdata(void)
     free_light_sources(RANGE_GLOBAL);
     freeobjchn(gi.invent);
     freeobjchn(gm.migrating_objs);
+    if (go.objs_deleted)
+        dobjsfree(); /* really free deleted objects */
     freemonchn(gm.migrating_mons);
     freemonchn(gm.mydogs); /* ascension or dungeon escape */
     /* freelevchn();  --  [folded into free_dungeons()] */