diff --git a/panda/src/physx/physxController.cxx b/panda/src/physx/physxController.cxx
index 81ef9300bf..089983e817 100644
--- a/panda/src/physx/physxController.cxx
+++ b/panda/src/physx/physxController.cxx
@@ -34,8 +34,9 @@ release() {
 
   nassertv(_error_type == ET_ok);
 
+  NxControllerManager *cm = get_actor()->get_scene()->cm();
   unlink();
-  get_actor()->get_scene()->cm()->releaseController(*ptr());
+  cm->releaseController(*ptr());
 }
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////