diff --git a/ext/smoothstreaming/gstmssdemux.c b/ext/smoothstreaming/gstmssdemux.c
index 7c16fd3fc8..85f0ec89a7 100644
--- a/ext/smoothstreaming/gstmssdemux.c
+++ b/ext/smoothstreaming/gstmssdemux.c
@@ -580,6 +580,7 @@ gst_mss_demux_stream_select_bitrate (GstAdaptiveDemuxStream * stream,
       if (!selected_system) {
         GST_ERROR_OBJECT (mssdemux, "stream is protected, but no "
             "suitable decryptor element has been found");
+        gst_caps_unref (caps);
         return FALSE;
       }