diff --git a/layout/base/nsPresShell.cpp b/layout/base/nsPresShell.cpp
index 969ebc9621..5dfbb8dba6 100644
--- a/layout/base/nsPresShell.cpp
+++ b/layout/base/nsPresShell.cpp
@@ -7296,11 +7296,11 @@ PresShell::HandleEvent(nsIFrame* aFrame,
     return NS_OK;
   }
 
-  nsIContent* capturingContent = ((aEvent->mClass == ePointerEventClass ||
-                                   aEvent->mClass == eWheelEventClass ||
-                                   aEvent->HasMouseEventMessage())
-                                 ? GetCapturingContent()
-                                 : nullptr);
+  nsCOMPtr<nsIContent> capturingContent = ((aEvent->mClass == ePointerEventClass ||
+                                            aEvent->mClass == eWheelEventClass ||
+                                            aEvent->HasMouseEventMessage())
+                                          ? GetCapturingContent()
+                                          : nullptr);
 
   nsCOMPtr<nsIDocument> retargetEventDoc;
   if (!aDontRetargetEvents) {