diff --git a/db/client.h b/db/client.h
index 44db4b49680..030a2cb7b91 100644
--- a/db/client.h
+++ b/db/client.h
@@ -120,15 +120,16 @@ namespace mongo {
 
 	/* this unlocks, does NOT upgrade. that works for our current usage */
     inline void mongolock::releaseAndWriteLock() { 
+        if( !_writelock ) {
+
 #if BOOST_VERSION >= 103500
-		int s = dbMutex.getState();
-		if( s != -1 ) {
-			log() << "error: releaseAndWriteLock() s == " << s << endl;
-            msgasserted( "releaseAndWriteLock: unlock_shared failed, probably recursive" );
-		}
+            int s = dbMutex.getState();
+            if( s != -1 ) {
+                log() << "error: releaseAndWriteLock() s == " << s << endl;
+                msgasserted( "releaseAndWriteLock: unlock_shared failed, probably recursive" );
+            }
 #endif
 
-        if( !_writelock ) {
             _writelock = true;
             dbMutex.unlock_shared();
             dbMutex.lock();