diff --git a/scripts/cross_reference.py b/scripts/cross_reference.py
index f82966b5..35486f37 100644
--- a/scripts/cross_reference.py
+++ b/scripts/cross_reference.py
@@ -959,6 +959,15 @@ def main() -> None:
     if args.platform:
         require_platform(args.platform, args.platforms_dir)
 
+    import contextlib
+
+    from refresh_data_dirs import hold_data_dirs
+
+    # Files resolve against data/: the trees stay put until the process
+    # ends, which releases the hold.
+    held = contextlib.ExitStack()
+    hold_data_dirs(held, load_data_dir_registry(args.platforms_dir))
+
     profiles = load_emulator_profiles(args.emulators_dir)
     emulator = args.emulator
     if emulator:
diff --git a/scripts/export_native.py b/scripts/export_native.py
index 1ccddb68..47db1e0a 100644
--- a/scripts/export_native.py
+++ b/scripts/export_native.py
@@ -898,6 +898,17 @@ def main() -> None:
         require_platform(args.platform, args.platforms_dir)
         platforms = [args.platform]
 
+    if not args.refresh_cache:
+        import contextlib
+
+        from refresh_data_dirs import hold_data_dirs
+
+        # Removal candidates are proved against data/: a refresh swapping a
+        # tree mid-walk listed entries only that tree holds as removable.
+        # The process exit releases the hold.
+        held = contextlib.ExitStack()
+        hold_data_dirs(held, load_data_dir_registry(args.platforms_dir))
+
     sys.exit(
         run(
             platforms,
diff --git a/scripts/refresh_data_dirs.py b/scripts/refresh_data_dirs.py
index f1f0c4b5..53e40891 100644
--- a/scripts/refresh_data_dirs.py
+++ b/scripts/refresh_data_dirs.py
@@ -99,11 +99,13 @@ def hold_data_dirs(stack: contextlib.ExitStack, registry: dict) -> None:
     later. A refresh swapping the tree in between shipped bytes nobody
     verified, or died on a file the new tree no longer has. A refresh waits
     for the holders. Never called before a refresh in the same process:
-    the exclusive lock would wait on this one.
+    the exclusive lock would wait on this one. A cache not yet on disk is
+    held too: the lock sits beside the tree, and skipped, a refresh could
+    install the tree after verify ran and before the packs read it.
     """
     for entry in registry.values():
         cache = entry.get("local_cache", "")
-        if cache and os.path.isdir(cache):
+        if cache:
             stack.enter_context(cache_lock(cache, shared=True))
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_audit_regressions.py b/tests/test_audit_regressions.py
index d12efd68..f5afb746 100644
--- a/tests/test_audit_regressions.py
+++ b/tests/test_audit_regressions.py
@@ -3761,6 +3761,21 @@ class ADataDirectoryIsHeldWhileRead(unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertFalse(exclusive_free())
         self.assertTrue(exclusive_free())
 
+    def test_a_cache_not_yet_on_disk_is_held_too(self):
+        """Skipped while absent, a tree a refresh installed mid-run was
+        missing for verify and present for the packs of the same run."""
+        import fcntl
+
+        from scripts import refresh_data_dirs
+
+        cache = self.tmp / "absent"
+        lock = cache.with_name(f".{cache.name}.lock")
+        with contextlib.ExitStack() as held:
+            refresh_data_dirs.hold_data_dirs(held, {"absent": {"local_cache": str(cache)}})
+            self.assertFalse(cache.exists())
+            with open(lock, "a") as handle, self.assertRaises(BlockingIOError):
+                fcntl.flock(handle, fcntl.LOCK_EX | fcntl.LOCK_NB)
+
     def test_both_entry_points_hold_the_trees(self):
         pack = (ROOT / "scripts" / "generate_pack.py").read_text()
         verify_src = (ROOT / "scripts" / "verify.py").read_text()
@@ -5446,7 +5461,8 @@ class ReportsHoldTheDataTrees(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_each_entry_point_holds_them(self):
         import ast
 
-        for script in ("generate_readme.py", "generate_site.py", "slots.py"):
+        for script in ("generate_readme.py", "generate_site.py", "slots.py",
+                       "export_native.py", "cross_reference.py"):
             tree = ast.parse((ROOT / "scripts" / script).read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
             main = next(
                 node for node in tree.body