diff --git a/src/core/file_sys/vfs/vfs_real.cpp b/src/core/file_sys/vfs/vfs_real.cpp
index c6f8d846db..b907d5f48d 100644
--- a/src/core/file_sys/vfs/vfs_real.cpp
+++ b/src/core/file_sys/vfs/vfs_real.cpp
@@ -272,11 +272,7 @@ void RealVfsFilesystem::EvictSingleReferenceLocked() {
 void RealVfsFilesystem::InsertReferenceIntoListLocked(FileReference& reference) {
     // Ensure the node is not already linked to any list before inserting.
     if (reference.IsLinked()) {
-        // Unlink from the list it currently belongs to.
-        if (reference.file) {
-            open_references.erase(open_references.iterator_to(reference));
-        }
-
+        open_references.erase(open_references.iterator_to(reference));
         if (reference.IsLinked()) {
             closed_references.erase(closed_references.iterator_to(reference));
         }
@@ -295,12 +291,9 @@ void RealVfsFilesystem::RemoveReferenceFromListLocked(FileReference& reference)
         return;
     }
 
-    // Erase from the correct list to avoid cross-list corruption.
-    if (reference.file) {
-        open_references.erase(open_references.iterator_to(reference));
-    }
-
-    if(reference.IsLinked()) {
+    // Erase from both lists defensively. The second erase will be a no-op if already unlinked.
+    open_references.erase(open_references.iterator_to(reference));
+    if (reference.IsLinked()) {
         closed_references.erase(closed_references.iterator_to(reference));
     }
 }