diff --git a/gst/gstelement.c b/gst/gstelement.c
index bba7a264a2..2abd1f0c3e 100644
--- a/gst/gstelement.c
+++ b/gst/gstelement.c
@@ -905,13 +905,14 @@ gst_element_real_destroy (GtkObject *object)
   GST_DEBUG_ELEMENT (GST_CAT_REFCOUNTING, element, "destroy\n");
 
   if (element->pads) {
-    pads = g_list_copy (element->pads);
+    GList *orig;
+    orig = pads = g_list_copy (element->pads);
     while (pads) {
       pad = GST_PAD (pads->data);
       gst_object_unparent (GST_OBJECT (pad));
       pads = g_list_next (pads);
     }
-    g_list_free (pads);
+    g_list_free (orig);
   }
 
   g_list_free (element->pads);