diff --git a/plugins/elements/gsttee.c b/plugins/elements/gsttee.c
index f93350941d..5b33125900 100644
--- a/plugins/elements/gsttee.c
+++ b/plugins/elements/gsttee.c
@@ -899,12 +899,14 @@ gst_tee_handle_data (GstTee * tee, gpointer data, gboolean is_list)
       ret = gst_pad_push (pad, GST_BUFFER_CAST (data));
     }
 
+    GST_OBJECT_LOCK (tee);
     if (GST_TEE_PAD_CAST (pad)->removed)
       ret = GST_FLOW_NOT_LINKED;
 
     if (ret == GST_FLOW_NOT_LINKED && tee->allow_not_linked) {
       ret = GST_FLOW_OK;
     }
+    GST_OBJECT_UNLOCK (tee);
 
     gst_object_unref (pad);