diff --git a/src/bun.js/bindings/bindings.zig b/src/bun.js/bindings/bindings.zig
index 3389c2f85f..7081539580 100644
--- a/src/bun.js/bindings/bindings.zig
+++ b/src/bun.js/bindings/bindings.zig
@@ -4322,12 +4322,12 @@ pub const JSValue = enum(i64) {
     }
 
     pub fn protect(this: JSValue) void {
-        if (this.isEmptyOrUndefinedOrNull() or this.isNumber()) return;
+        if (!this.isCell()) return;
         JSC.C.JSValueProtect(JSC.VirtualMachine.get().global, this.asObjectRef());
     }
 
     pub fn unprotect(this: JSValue) void {
-        if (this.isEmptyOrUndefinedOrNull() or this.isNumber()) return;
+        if (!this.isCell()) return;
         JSC.C.JSValueUnprotect(JSC.VirtualMachine.get().global, this.asObjectRef());
     }