diff --git a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-override-registry.c b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-override-registry.c
index 4c35a9aa08..e926656b2f 100644
--- a/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-override-registry.c
+++ b/validate/gst/validate/gst-validate-override-registry.c
@@ -314,6 +314,7 @@ _add_override_from_struct (GstStructure * soverride)
     } else {
       type = G_OBJECT_TYPE (element);
       gst_validate_override_register_by_type (type, override);
+      gst_object_unref (element);
     }
 
     registered = TRUE;