diff --git a/init.cpp b/init.cpp
index b5729ec5..cb05a9e5 100644
--- a/init.cpp
+++ b/init.cpp
@@ -31,28 +31,25 @@ namespace {
         cruft::parse::enumeration::cookie log;
     };
 
-    std::unique_ptr<state> s_state;
-    std::atomic<int> s_count;
+    static std::unique_ptr<state> s_state;
 }
 
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Increase the reference count and initialising the requisite functionality if
-// this is the first instance of the class.
+// NOTE: We were using reference counting to cleanup s_state at cookie
+//  destruction time, but for some reason this results in a double-free under
+//  gcc-usan. It's easier to just allow it to live past the useful period and
+//  perform cleanup atexit.
 static void up (void)
 {
-    if (int old = s_count++; !old)
+    if (!s_state)
         s_state = std::make_unique<state> ();
 }
 
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Decrease the reference count and release any resources if this was the last
-// instance of the class.
 static void down (void)
 {
-    if (int old = --s_count; !old)
-        s_state.reset ();
 }