diff --git a/core/blockstm/mvhashmap.go b/core/blockstm/mvhashmap.go
index 38b075b0d8..003de91e70 100644
--- a/core/blockstm/mvhashmap.go
+++ b/core/blockstm/mvhashmap.go
@@ -222,8 +222,8 @@ func (mv *MVHashMap) Read(k Key, txIdx int) (res MVReadResult) {
 	}
 
 	cells.rw.RLock()
+
 	fk, fv := cells.tm.Floor(txIdx - 1)
-	cells.rw.RUnlock()
 
 	if fk != nil && fv != nil {
 		c := fv.(*WriteCell)
@@ -242,6 +242,8 @@ func (mv *MVHashMap) Read(k Key, txIdx int) (res MVReadResult) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	cells.rw.RUnlock()
+
 	return
 }