diff --git a/src/corelib/tools/qcache.h b/src/corelib/tools/qcache.h
index 4cfe4a4a48..7c065a8806 100644
--- a/src/corelib/tools/qcache.h
+++ b/src/corelib/tools/qcache.h
@@ -236,10 +236,9 @@ public:
 
     bool insert(const Key &key, T *object, qsizetype cost = 1)
     {
-        remove(key);
-
         if (cost > mx) {
             delete object;
+            remove(key);
             return false;
         }
         trim(mx - cost);