diff --git a/Tools/scripts/deepfreeze.py b/Tools/scripts/deepfreeze.py
index db44ba89c67..080980f6d0a 100644
--- a/Tools/scripts/deepfreeze.py
+++ b/Tools/scripts/deepfreeze.py
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ PyObject *
 _Py_get_%%NAME%%_toplevel(void)
 {
     %%NAME%%_do_patchups();
-    return (PyObject *) &%%NAME%%_toplevel;
+    return Py_NewRef((PyObject *) &%%NAME%%_toplevel);
 }
 """