diff --git a/gc.c b/gc.c
index cd136cb..87aad90 100644
--- a/gc.c
+++ b/gc.c
@@ -1709,7 +1709,12 @@ mark_m_tbl(rb_objspace_t *objspace, st_table *tbl, int lev)
 static int
 free_method_entry_i(ID key, rb_method_entry_t *me, st_data_t data)
 {
-    rb_free_method_entry(me);
+    if (me->mark) {
+        me->mark = 0;
+    }
+    else {
+        rb_free_method_entry(me);
+    }
     return ST_CONTINUE;
 }