diff --git a/rpc/rpc.go b/rpc/rpc.go
index 72805baa..be8fc746 100644
--- a/rpc/rpc.go
+++ b/rpc/rpc.go
@@ -1389,20 +1389,7 @@ func (c *Conn) handleDisembargo(ctx context.Context, d rpccp.Disembargo, release
 				return
 			}
 
-			client := iface.Client()
-
-			var ok bool
-			syncutil.Without(&c.lk, func() {
-				imp, ok = client.State().Brand.Value.(*importClient)
-			})
-
-			if !ok || imp.c != c {
-				client.Release()
-				err = rpcerr.Failedf("incoming disembargo: sender loopback requested on a capability that is not an import")
-				return
-			}
-
-			// TODO(maybe): check generation?
+			client = iface.Client()
 		})
 
 		if err != nil {
@@ -1410,43 +1397,52 @@ func (c *Conn) handleDisembargo(ctx context.Context, d rpccp.Disembargo, release
 			return err
 		}
 
+		imp, ok := client.State().Brand.Value.(*importClient)
+		if !ok || imp.c != c {
+			client.Release()
+			return rpcerr.Failedf("incoming disembargo: sender loopback requested on a capability that is not an import")
+		}
+		// TODO(maybe): check generation?
+
 		// Since this Cap'n Proto RPC implementation does not send imports
 		// unless they are fully dequeued, we can just immediately loop back.
 		id := d.Context().SenderLoopback()
-		c.sendMessage(ctx, func(m rpccp.Message) error {
-			defer release()
-			defer client.Release()
-
-			d, err := m.NewDisembargo()
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
+		syncutil.With(&c.lk, func() {
+			c.sendMessage(ctx, func(m rpccp.Message) error {
+				d, err := m.NewDisembargo()
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
 
-			tgt, err := d.NewTarget()
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
+				tgt, err := d.NewTarget()
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
 
-			tgt.SetImportedCap(uint32(imp.id))
-			d.Context().SetReceiverLoopback(id)
-			return nil
+				tgt.SetImportedCap(uint32(imp.id))
+				d.Context().SetReceiverLoopback(id)
+				return nil
 
-		}, func(err error) {
-			c.er.ReportError(rpcerr.Annotatef(err, "incoming disembargo: send receiver loopback"))
+			}, func(err error) {
+				defer release()
+				defer client.Release()
+				c.er.ReportError(rpcerr.Annotatef(err, "incoming disembargo: send receiver loopback"))
+			})
 		})
 
 	default:
 		c.er.ReportError(fmt.Errorf("incoming disembargo: context %v not implemented", d.Context().Which()))
-		c.sendMessage(ctx, func(m rpccp.Message) (err error) {
-			defer release()
-
-			if m, err = m.NewUnimplemented(); err == nil {
-				err = m.SetDisembargo(d)
-			}
+		syncutil.With(&c.lk, func() {
+			c.sendMessage(ctx, func(m rpccp.Message) (err error) {
+				if m, err = m.NewUnimplemented(); err == nil {
+					err = m.SetDisembargo(d)
+				}
 
-			return
-		}, func(err error) {
-			c.er.ReportError(rpcerr.Annotate(err, "incoming disembargo: send unimplemented"))
+				return
+			}, func(err error) {
+				defer release()
+				c.er.ReportError(rpcerr.Annotate(err, "incoming disembargo: send unimplemented"))
+			})
 		})
 	}