diff --git a/main/manager.c b/main/manager.c
index 830bbda144..a1770cfab4 100644
--- a/main/manager.c
+++ b/main/manager.c
@@ -4810,6 +4810,8 @@ 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;
 }