diff --git a/netwerk/protocol/http/HttpChannelParent.cpp b/netwerk/protocol/http/HttpChannelParent.cpp
index 8810f92f461..e2c10736012 100644
--- a/netwerk/protocol/http/HttpChannelParent.cpp
+++ b/netwerk/protocol/http/HttpChannelParent.cpp
@@ -48,16 +48,17 @@ HttpChannelParent::HttpChannelParent(PBrowserParent* iframeEmbedding,
   , mLoadContext(aLoadContext)
 {
   // Ensure gHttpHandler is initialized: we need the atom table up and running.
-  nsIHttpProtocolHandler* handler;
-  CallGetService(NS_NETWORK_PROTOCOL_CONTRACTID_PREFIX "http", &handler);
-  MOZ_ASSERT(handler);
+  nsCOMPtr<nsIHttpProtocolHandler> dummyInitializer =
+    do_GetService(NS_NETWORK_PROTOCOL_CONTRACTID_PREFIX "http");
+
+  MOZ_ASSERT(gHttpHandler);
+  mHttpHandler = gHttpHandler;
 
   mTabParent = static_cast<mozilla::dom::TabParent*>(iframeEmbedding);
 }
 
 HttpChannelParent::~HttpChannelParent()
 {
-  gHttpHandler->Release();
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/netwerk/protocol/http/HttpChannelParent.h b/netwerk/protocol/http/HttpChannelParent.h
index 63b9835d4e0..8ac8196cefc 100644
--- a/netwerk/protocol/http/HttpChannelParent.h
+++ b/netwerk/protocol/http/HttpChannelParent.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 class nsICacheEntryDescriptor;
 class nsIAssociatedContentSecurity;
+class nsHttpHandler;
 
 namespace mozilla {
 
@@ -120,6 +121,7 @@ private:
   PBOverrideStatus mPBOverride;
 
   nsCOMPtr<nsILoadContext> mLoadContext;
+  nsRefPtr<nsHttpHandler>  mHttpHandler;
 };
 
 } // namespace net