diff --git a/src/lib/ostream-multiplex.c b/src/lib/ostream-multiplex.c
index 7efcd5f3bb..afc00f7261 100644
--- a/src/lib/ostream-multiplex.c
+++ b/src/lib/ostream-multiplex.c
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ static void o_stream_multiplex_ochannel_destroy(struct iostream_private *stream)
 	struct multiplex_ochannel **channelp;
 	struct multiplex_ochannel *channel = (struct multiplex_ochannel*)stream;
 	o_stream_multiplex_ochannel_close(stream, TRUE);
+	o_stream_unref(&channel->ostream.parent);
 	if (channel->buf != NULL)
 		buffer_free(&channel->buf);
 	/* delete the channel */