diff --git a/sys/v4l2/gstv4l2bufferpool.c b/sys/v4l2/gstv4l2bufferpool.c
index 34a444b39e..3ead390968 100644
--- a/sys/v4l2/gstv4l2bufferpool.c
+++ b/sys/v4l2/gstv4l2bufferpool.c
@@ -1017,6 +1017,8 @@ gst_v4l2_buffer_pool_finalize (GObject * object)
     gst_object_unref (pool->allocator);
   g_free (pool->buffers);
 
+  gst_object_unref (pool->obj->element);
+
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (parent_class)->finalize (object);
 }
 
@@ -1070,6 +1072,8 @@ gst_v4l2_buffer_pool_new (GstV4l2Object * obj, GstCaps * caps)
   gst_buffer_pool_config_set_params (s, caps, obj->sizeimage, 2, 0);
   gst_buffer_pool_set_config (GST_BUFFER_POOL_CAST (pool), s);
 
+  gst_object_ref (obj->element);
+
   return GST_BUFFER_POOL (pool);
 
   /* ERRORS */