diff --git a/application/MultiMC.cpp b/application/MultiMC.cpp
index 942b1d93..42f0c93d 100644
--- a/application/MultiMC.cpp
+++ b/application/MultiMC.cpp
@@ -1001,7 +1001,8 @@ bool MultiMC::kill(InstancePtr instance)
 		return false;
 	}
 	auto & extras = m_instanceExtras[instance->id()];
-	auto & controller = extras.controller;
+	// NOTE: copy of the shared pointer keeps it alive
+	auto controller = extras.controller;
 	if(controller)
 	{
 		return controller->abort();
diff --git a/application/MultiMC.h b/application/MultiMC.h
index a9cbdec7..28a9641a 100644
--- a/application/MultiMC.h
+++ b/application/MultiMC.h
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ private:
 	struct InstanceXtras
 	{
 		InstanceWindow * window = nullptr;
-		unique_qobject_ptr<LaunchController> controller;
+		shared_qobject_ptr<LaunchController> controller;
 	};
 	std::map<QString, InstanceXtras> m_instanceExtras;
 	size_t m_openWindows = 0;