diff --git a/src/libespeak-ng/wave_pulse.c b/src/libespeak-ng/wave_pulse.c
index dde218ee..40ca983e 100644
--- a/src/libespeak-ng/wave_pulse.c
+++ b/src/libespeak-ng/wave_pulse.c
@@ -479,9 +479,6 @@ static int pulse_open(const char *device)
 
 	return PULSE_OK;
 unlock_and_fail:
-	if (o)
-		pa_operation_unref(o);
-
 	pa_threaded_mainloop_unlock(mainloop);
 fail:
 	if (ret == PULSE_NO_CONNECTION) {