diff --git a/gst/equalizer/gstiirequalizer.c b/gst/equalizer/gstiirequalizer.c
index 54e8abc591..684e8843f8 100644
--- a/gst/equalizer/gstiirequalizer.c
+++ b/gst/equalizer/gstiirequalizer.c
@@ -340,6 +340,14 @@ static void
 gst_iir_equalizer_finalize (GObject * object)
 {
   GstIirEqualizer *equ = GST_IIR_EQUALIZER (object);
+  gint i;
+
+  for (i = 0; i < equ->freq_band_count; i++) {
+    if (equ->bands[i])
+      gst_object_unparent (GST_OBJECT (equ->bands[i]));
+    equ->bands[i] = NULL;
+  }
+  equ->freq_band_count = 0;
 
   g_free (equ->bands);
   g_free (equ->history);