diff --git a/src/libs/util/bongothreadpool.c b/src/libs/util/bongothreadpool.c
index 208314c..bf48f8d 100644
--- a/src/libs/util/bongothreadpool.c
+++ b/src/libs/util/bongothreadpool.c
@@ -191,10 +191,6 @@ BongoThreadPoolAddWork(BongoThreadPool *pool,
         pool->head = item;
     }
 
-    XplMutexUnlock(pool->lock);
-
-    XplSignalLocalSemaphore(pool->todo);
-
     /* Possibly spawn a worker */
     if (spawnThread && (pool->total < pool->maximum)) {
         XplThreadID id;
@@ -204,6 +200,9 @@ BongoThreadPoolAddWork(BongoThreadPool *pool,
         ret = 0;
     }
 
+    XplMutexUnlock(pool->lock);
+    XplSignalLocalSemaphore(pool->todo);
+
     return ret;
 }