diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.m b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.m
index 88c64b32ad..2d82a8bfab 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.m
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.m
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
   ASDisplayNodeViewControllerBlock _viewControllerBlock;
   ASDisplayNodeDidLoadBlock _viewControllerDidLoadBlock;
   ASDisplayNode *_viewControllerNode;
+  UIViewController *_viewController;
 }
 
 @end
@@ -63,15 +64,16 @@
 
   if (_viewControllerBlock != nil) {
 
-    UIViewController *viewController = _viewControllerBlock();
+    _viewController = _viewControllerBlock();
     _viewControllerBlock = nil;
 
-    if ([viewController isKindOfClass:[ASViewController class]]) {
-      ASViewController *asViewController = (ASViewController *)viewController;
+    if ([_viewController isKindOfClass:[ASViewController class]]) {
+      ASViewController *asViewController = (ASViewController *)_viewController;
       _viewControllerNode = asViewController.node;
+      [_viewController view];
     } else {
       _viewControllerNode = [[ASDisplayNode alloc] initWithViewBlock:^{
-        return viewController.view;
+        return _viewController.view;
       }];
     }
     [self addSubnode:_viewControllerNode];