diff --git a/glass-easel/src/element.ts b/glass-easel/src/element.ts
index 01211a30..2728a56d 100644
--- a/glass-easel/src/element.ts
+++ b/glass-easel/src/element.ts
@@ -621,9 +621,9 @@ export class Element implements NodeCast {
         if (elem._$destroyOnRemoval === AutoDestroyState.Enabled) {
           elem._$destroyOnRemoval = AutoDestroyState.Destroyed
           elem.destroyBackendElement()
-          const f = elem._$placeholderHandlerRemover
-          if (typeof f === 'function') f()
         }
+        const f = elem._$placeholderHandlerRemover
+        if (typeof f === 'function') f()
       }
       rec(node)
     } else if (node._$destroyOnRemoval === AutoDestroyState.Enabled) {