diff --git a/modules/juce_audio_plugin_client/VST3/juce_VST3_Wrapper.cpp b/modules/juce_audio_plugin_client/VST3/juce_VST3_Wrapper.cpp
index 5130a9a8f1..4eabeddcdf 100644
--- a/modules/juce_audio_plugin_client/VST3/juce_VST3_Wrapper.cpp
+++ b/modules/juce_audio_plugin_client/VST3/juce_VST3_Wrapper.cpp
@@ -652,16 +652,8 @@ public:
     tresult PLUGIN_API initialize (FUnknown* context) override
     {
         if (hostContext != context)
-        {
-            if (hostContext != nullptr)
-                hostContext->release();
-
             hostContext = context;
 
-            if (hostContext != nullptr)
-                hostContext->addRef();
-        }
-
         return kResultTrue;
     }