diff --git a/cocos/ui/UIWidget.cpp b/cocos/ui/UIWidget.cpp
index e183d6e..016cba5 100644
--- a/cocos/ui/UIWidget.cpp
+++ b/cocos/ui/UIWidget.cpp
@@ -812,6 +812,9 @@ void Widget::onTouchMoved(Touch *touch, Event* /*unusedEvent*/)
 
 void Widget::onTouchEnded(Touch *touch, Event* /*unusedEvent*/)
 {
+    // if self be released in propagateTouchEvent, may crash at setHighlighted.
+    // use retain() to avoid such case.
+    this->retain();
     _touchEndPosition = touch->getLocation();
 
     /*
@@ -833,6 +836,7 @@ void Widget::onTouchEnded(Touch *touch, Event* /*unusedEvent*/)
     {
         cancelUpEvent();
     }
+    this->release();
 }
 
 void Widget::onTouchCancelled(Touch* touch, Event* /*unusedEvent*/)