diff --git a/server/winstation.c b/server/winstation.c
index 2eaffb0bbe2..08389bbbdb3 100644
--- a/server/winstation.c
+++ b/server/winstation.c
@@ -563,6 +563,7 @@ DECL_HANDLER(open_input_desktop)
     if (!(winstation->flags & WSF_VISIBLE))
     {
         set_error( STATUS_ILLEGAL_FUNCTION );
+        release_object( winstation );
         return;
     }