diff --git a/module/zfs/dsl_dataset.c b/module/zfs/dsl_dataset.c
index 21fdd08..872d44a 100644
--- a/module/zfs/dsl_dataset.c
+++ b/module/zfs/dsl_dataset.c
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
  */
 /*
  * Copyright (c) 2005, 2010, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
- * Copyright (c) 2011 by Delphix. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2012 by Delphix. All rights reserved.
  * Copyright (c) 2012, Joyent, Inc. All rights reserved.
  */
 
@@ -4158,9 +4220,13 @@ struct dsl_ds_releasearg {
 		dsl_dataset_t *snap;
 		uint64_t used, comp, uncomp;
 
-		err = dsl_dataset_hold_obj(dp, snapobj, FTAG, &snap);
-		if (err != 0)
-			break;
+		if (snapobj == new->ds_object) {
+			snap = new;
+		} else {
+			err = dsl_dataset_hold_obj(dp, snapobj, FTAG, &snap);
+			if (err != 0)
+				break;
+		}
 
 		if (snap->ds_phys->ds_prev_snap_txg ==
 		    oldsnap->ds_phys->ds_creation_txg) {
@@ -4189,7 +4255,8 @@ struct dsl_ds_releasearg {
 		 * was not a snapshot of/before new.
 		 */
 		snapobj = snap->ds_phys->ds_prev_snap_obj;
-		dsl_dataset_rele(snap, FTAG);
+		if (snap != new)
+			dsl_dataset_rele(snap, FTAG);
 		if (snapobj == 0) {
 			err = EINVAL;
 			break;