diff --git a/subprojects/gst-plugins-base/gst-libs/gst/rtp/gstrtphdrext.c b/subprojects/gst-plugins-base/gst-libs/gst/rtp/gstrtphdrext.c
index 11165259f2..48fdd83b29 100644
--- a/subprojects/gst-plugins-base/gst-libs/gst/rtp/gstrtphdrext.c
+++ b/subprojects/gst-plugins-base/gst-libs/gst/rtp/gstrtphdrext.c
@@ -858,6 +858,8 @@ gst_rtp_header_extension_create_from_uri (const gchar * uri)
 
     g_list_free_full (l, (GDestroyNotify) gst_object_unref);
 
+    gst_object_ref_sink (element);
+
     return GST_RTP_HEADER_EXTENSION (element);
   }