diff --git a/tests/test-char.c b/tests/test-char.c
index 953e0d1c1f..06102977b6 100644
--- a/tests/test-char.c
+++ b/tests/test-char.c
@@ -1298,7 +1298,7 @@ static void char_file_test_internal(Chardev *ext_chr, const char *filepath)
     g_assert(strncmp(contents, "hello!", 6) == 0);
 
     if (!ext_chr) {
-        object_unref(OBJECT(chr));
+        object_unparent(OBJECT(chr));
         g_unlink(out);
     }
     g_free(contents);