diff --git a/hw/virtio/virtio-balloon.c b/hw/virtio/virtio-balloon.c
index 32e9fe3f64..cff8eab6a1 100644
--- a/hw/virtio/virtio-balloon.c
+++ b/hw/virtio/virtio-balloon.c
@@ -820,6 +820,7 @@ static void virtio_balloon_device_unrealize(DeviceState *dev)
 
     if (s->free_page_bh) {
         qemu_bh_delete(s->free_page_bh);
+        object_unref(OBJECT(s->iothread));
         virtio_balloon_free_page_stop(s);
         precopy_remove_notifier(&s->free_page_report_notify);
     }