diff --git a/internal/expire/expire.go b/internal/expire/expire.go
index 899df507..4c040036 100644
--- a/internal/expire/expire.go
+++ b/internal/expire/expire.go
@@ -41,9 +41,10 @@ func (list *List) bg() {
 		}
 		if now > list.queue.peek().unix { // now.After(list.queue.peek().unix)
 			n := list.queue.pop()
+			exfn := list.Expired
 			list.mu.Unlock()
-			if list.Expired != nil {
-				list.Expired(n.item)
+			if exfn != nil {
+				exfn(n.item)
 			}
 		} else {
 			list.mu.Unlock()