diff --git a/src/background_data_service.py b/src/background_data_service.py
index 1011a1f0..99e101a4 100644
--- a/src/background_data_service.py
+++ b/src/background_data_service.py
@@ -199,6 +199,12 @@ class BackgroundDataService:
                     cached=True,
                     fetch_time=0.0
                 )
+                # Filed before the callback runs, as it always was: a callback
+                # that queries get_result()/is_request_complete() for its own
+                # request must still find it. Releasing afterwards mutates the
+                # same object the dict holds.
+                self.completed_requests[request_id] = result
+
                 if callback:
                     try:
                         callback(result)
@@ -206,8 +212,6 @@ class BackgroundDataService:
                         logger.error(f"Error in callback for request {request_id}: {e}")
                     self._release_payload(result)
 
-                self.completed_requests[request_id] = result
-
                 logger.debug(f"Cache hit for {sport} {year} data")
                 return request_id