diff --git a/migration/file.c b/migration/file.c
index ab18ba505a..2bb8c64092 100644
--- a/migration/file.c
+++ b/migration/file.c
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ void file_start_outgoing_migration(MigrationState *s,
 
     ioc = QIO_CHANNEL(fioc);
     if (offset && qio_channel_io_seek(ioc, offset, SEEK_SET, errp) < 0) {
+        object_unref(OBJECT(fioc));
         return;
     }
     qio_channel_set_name(ioc, "migration-file-outgoing");