diff --git a/pcsx2/GS/Renderers/Metal/GSDeviceMTL.mm b/pcsx2/GS/Renderers/Metal/GSDeviceMTL.mm
index 1f8d6813e5e45..b1a73bbfa55aa 100644
--- a/pcsx2/GS/Renderers/Metal/GSDeviceMTL.mm
+++ b/pcsx2/GS/Renderers/Metal/GSDeviceMTL.mm
@@ -913,7 +913,7 @@ static void setFnConstantI(MTLFunctionConstantValues* fc, unsigned int value, GS
 		m_texture_download_buf = MRCTransfer([m_dev.dev newBufferWithLength:size options:MTLResourceStorageModeShared]);
 	pxAssertRel(m_texture_download_buf, "Failed to allocate download buffer (out of memory?)");
 
-	id<MTLCommandBuffer> cmdbuf = GetRenderCmdBuf();
+	MRCOwned<id<MTLCommandBuffer>> cmdbuf = MRCRetain(GetRenderCmdBuf());
 	[cmdbuf pushDebugGroup:@"DownloadTexture"];
 	id<MTLBlitCommandEncoder> encoder = [cmdbuf blitCommandEncoder];
 	[encoder copyFromTexture:msrc->GetTexture()