diff --git a/lib/paranoia.rb b/lib/paranoia.rb
index 4ba4c389..288f04b4 100644
--- a/lib/paranoia.rb
+++ b/lib/paranoia.rb
@@ -141,7 +141,8 @@ def really_destroy!
       run_callbacks(:real_destroy) do
         @_disable_counter_cache = paranoia_destroyed?
         dependent_reflections = self.class.reflections.select do |name, reflection|
-          reflection.options[:dependent] == :destroy
+          reflection.options[:dependent] == :destroy &&
+            reflection.options[:through].blank?
         end
         if dependent_reflections.any?
           dependent_reflections.each do |name, reflection|