diff --git a/src/gc.c b/src/gc.c
index 8569cc085..8d0ad5500 100644
--- a/src/gc.c
+++ b/src/gc.c
@@ -941,11 +941,15 @@ clear_all_old(mrb_state *mrb)
     incremental_gc_until(mrb, GC_STATE_NONE);
   }
 
+  /* Sweep the dead objects, then reset all the live objects
+   * (including all the old objects, of course) to white. */
   mrb->is_generational_gc_mode = FALSE;
   prepare_incremental_sweep(mrb);
   incremental_gc_until(mrb, GC_STATE_NONE);
-  mrb->atomic_gray_list = mrb->gray_list = NULL;
   mrb->is_generational_gc_mode = origin_mode;
+
+  /* The gray objects has already been painted as white */
+  mrb->atomic_gray_list = mrb->gray_list = NULL;
 }
 
 void