diff --git a/include/osg/observer_ptr b/include/osg/observer_ptr
index a1971bd50..a6d03c10d 100644
--- a/include/osg/observer_ptr
+++ b/include/osg/observer_ptr
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ class observer_ptr : public Observer
 
         ~observer_ptr()
         {
-            OpenThreads::ScopedLock<OpenThreads::Mutex> lock(_mutex);
             if (_ptr) _ptr->removeObserver(this);
         }
 
@@ -52,8 +51,6 @@ class observer_ptr : public Observer
         {
             if (&rp==this) return *this;
 
-            ref_ptr<T> tmp_ptr(rp.lock());
-
             OpenThreads::ScopedLock<OpenThreads::Mutex> lock(_mutex);
 
             if (_ptr==rp._ptr) return *this;