diff --git a/subprojects/gst-plugins-bad/tests/check/elements/lc3.c b/subprojects/gst-plugins-bad/tests/check/elements/lc3.c
index 708dd44ed7..f8cc2bd89f 100644
--- a/subprojects/gst-plugins-bad/tests/check/elements/lc3.c
+++ b/subprojects/gst-plugins-bad/tests/check/elements/lc3.c
@@ -316,6 +316,7 @@ dec_plc_test (void)
 
   gst_buffer_unref (buf);
   gst_harness_teardown (h);
+  gst_object_unref (dec);
 }
 
 GST_START_TEST (test_48k_8ch_10000us)