diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/DrupalKernel.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/DrupalKernel.php
index e93c946..1420f65 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/DrupalKernel.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/DrupalKernel.php
@@ -257,9 +257,11 @@ public static function createFromRequest(Request $request, $class_loader, $envir
       $class_loader->unregister();
       $apc_loader->register();
       $class_loader = $apc_loader;
-      $kernel->classLoader = $class_loader;
     }
 
+    // Ensure that the class loader reference is up-to-date.
+    $kernel->classLoader = $class_loader;
+
     return $kernel;
   }