diff --git a/qapi/qmp-dispatch.c b/qapi/qmp-dispatch.c
index c30c7ff..79347e0 100644
--- a/qapi/qmp-dispatch.c
+++ b/qapi/qmp-dispatch.c
@@ -155,6 +155,8 @@
     cmd->fn(args, &ret, &err);
     qobject_unref(args);
     if (err) {
+        /* or assert(!ret) after reviewing all handlers: */
+        qobject_unref(ret);
         goto out;
     }