diff --git a/ext/standard/basic_functions.c b/ext/standard/basic_functions.c
index 8e52a8b8673..47331e3b520 100644
--- a/ext/standard/basic_functions.c
+++ b/ext/standard/basic_functions.c
@@ -4824,6 +4824,8 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(call_user_method)
 		return;
 	}
 
+	object = Z_REFVAL_P(object);
+
 	if (Z_TYPE_P(object) != IS_OBJECT &&
 		Z_TYPE_P(object) != IS_STRING
 	) {
@@ -4856,6 +4858,8 @@ PHP_FUNCTION(call_user_method_array)
 		return;
 	}
 
+	object = Z_REFVAL_P(object);
+
 	if (Z_TYPE_P(object) != IS_OBJECT &&
 		Z_TYPE_P(object) != IS_STRING
 	) {