diff --git a/input/device.c b/input/device.c
index 9ff7f20..16eb155 100644
--- a/input/device.c
+++ b/input/device.c
@@ -825,6 +825,9 @@ failed:
 	reply = btd_error_failed(iconn->pending_connect, err_msg);
 	g_dbus_send_message(idev->conn, reply);
 
+	dbus_message_unref(iconn->pending_connect);
+	iconn->pending_connect = NULL;
+
 	/* So we guarantee the interrupt channel is closed before the
 	 * control channel (if we only do unref GLib will close it only
 	 * after returning control to the mainloop */