diff --git a/gst/gsttypefind.c b/gst/gsttypefind.c
index 4be2265728..8cf427b336 100644
--- a/gst/gsttypefind.c
+++ b/gst/gsttypefind.c
@@ -186,12 +186,15 @@ gst_typefind_chain (GstPad *pad, GstBuffer *buf)
 
 {
         int oldstate = GST_STATE(typefind);
+	gst_object_ref (GST_OBJECT (typefind));
         gtk_signal_emit (GTK_OBJECT (typefind), gst_typefind_signals[HAVE_TYPE],
 	                      typefind->caps);
         if (GST_STATE(typefind) != oldstate) {
+	  gst_object_unref (GST_OBJECT (typefind));
           GST_DEBUG(0, "state changed during signal, aborting\n");
           cothread_switch(cothread_current_main());
         }
+	gst_object_unref (GST_OBJECT (typefind));
 }
 
 	gst_pad_set_caps (pad, caps);