diff --git a/qemu-io.c b/qemu-io.c
index ef3fef6e5f..f63e771d98 100644
--- a/qemu-io.c
+++ b/qemu-io.c
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ static int openfile(char *name, int flags, int growable, QDict *opts)
 
     if (qemuio_bs) {
         fprintf(stderr, "file open already, try 'help close'\n");
+        QDECREF(opts);
         return 1;
     }
 
@@ -175,6 +176,7 @@ static int open_f(BlockDriverState *bs, int argc, char **argv)
     } else if (optind == argc) {
         return openfile(NULL, flags, growable, opts);
     } else {
+        QDECREF(opts);
         return qemuio_command_usage(&open_cmd);
     }
 }