diff --git a/src/video_output/video_output.c b/src/video_output/video_output.c
index 8c8b8fbfbf67e4389c4098bbea92896bf0873677..ca06a32d7410364ad1d95f945351d150ff7efbf6 100644
--- a/src/video_output/video_output.c
+++ b/src/video_output/video_output.c
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ vout_thread_t *__vout_Request( vlc_object_t *p_this, vout_thread_t *p_vout,
                 p_vout = NULL;
             }
             vlc_mutex_unlock( &p_playlist->gc_lock );
+            pl_Release( p_this );
         }
     }