diff --git a/gst/vaapi/gstvaapipluginbase.c b/gst/vaapi/gstvaapipluginbase.c
index 2666c9a01b..7d5dec3305 100644
--- a/gst/vaapi/gstvaapipluginbase.c
+++ b/gst/vaapi/gstvaapipluginbase.c
@@ -533,6 +533,7 @@ ensure_sinkpad_buffer_pool (GstVaapiPluginBase * plugin, GstCaps * caps)
 error_invalid_caps:
   {
     GST_ERROR_OBJECT (plugin, "invalid caps %" GST_PTR_FORMAT, caps);
+    gst_object_unref (pool);
     return FALSE;
   }
 error_create_pool: