diff --git a/sys/xvimage/xvimagesink.c b/sys/xvimage/xvimagesink.c
index 6c94725e01..80b452bb94 100644
--- a/sys/xvimage/xvimagesink.c
+++ b/sys/xvimage/xvimagesink.c
@@ -1128,6 +1128,7 @@ gst_xv_image_sink_navigation_send_event (GstNavigation * navigation,
 
     if (!(xwindow = xvimagesink->xwindow)) {
       g_mutex_unlock (&xvimagesink->flow_lock);
+      gst_object_unref (peer);
       return;
     }