diff --git a/editor/scene_tree_editor.cpp b/editor/scene_tree_editor.cpp
index 276ee60ead..0b649321c6 100644
--- a/editor/scene_tree_editor.cpp
+++ b/editor/scene_tree_editor.cpp
@@ -655,8 +655,6 @@ bool SceneTreeEditor::_update_filter(TreeItem *p_parent, bool p_scroll_to_select
 				}
 			}
 		}
-	} else {
-		memdelete(p_parent);
 	}
 
 	if (editor_selection) {
@@ -673,6 +671,11 @@ bool SceneTreeEditor::_update_filter(TreeItem *p_parent, bool p_scroll_to_select
 		}
 	}
 
+	if (!(keep_for_children || keep)) {
+		memdelete(p_parent);
+		return false;
+	}
+
 	return keep || keep_for_children;
 }