diff --git a/qom/object.c b/qom/object.c
index e200282172..034f15cdec 100644
--- a/qom/object.c
+++ b/qom/object.c
@@ -361,12 +361,14 @@ static void object_property_del_child(Object *obj, Object *child, Error **errp)
 
 void object_unparent(Object *obj)
 {
+    object_ref(obj);
     if (obj->parent) {
         object_property_del_child(obj->parent, obj, NULL);
     }
     if (obj->class->unparent) {
         (obj->class->unparent)(obj);
     }
+    object_unref(obj);
 }
 
 static void object_deinit(Object *obj, TypeImpl *type)