diff --git a/main/manager.c b/main/manager.c
index fe4e7c325d..3c98185be8 100644
--- a/main/manager.c
+++ b/main/manager.c
@@ -5150,6 +5150,8 @@ static enum add_filter_result manager_add_filter(const char *filter_pattern, str
 		ao2_t_link(whitefilters, new_filter, "link new filter into white user container");
 	}
 
+	ao2_ref(new_filter, -1);
+
 	return FILTER_SUCCESS;
 }