diff --git a/src/util/virstoragefile.c b/src/util/virstoragefile.c
index d2b21a8169..d88183591d 100644
--- a/src/util/virstoragefile.c
+++ b/src/util/virstoragefile.c
@@ -2295,6 +2295,7 @@ virStorageSourceClear(virStorageSourcePtr def)
 
     virStorageNetHostDefFree(def->nhosts, def->hosts);
     virStorageAuthDefFree(def->auth);
+    virObjectUnref(def->privateData);
 
     VIR_FREE(def->nodestorage);
     VIR_FREE(def->nodeformat);
diff --git a/src/util/virstoragefile.h b/src/util/virstoragefile.h
index 1e36a6671e..2f56aea1d4 100644
--- a/src/util/virstoragefile.h
+++ b/src/util/virstoragefile.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 # include <sys/stat.h>
 
 # include "virbitmap.h"
+# include "virobject.h"
 # include "virseclabel.h"
 # include "virstorageencryption.h"
 # include "virutil.h"
@@ -241,6 +242,8 @@ struct _virStorageSource {
     virStorageAuthDefPtr auth;
     virStorageEncryptionPtr encryption;
 
+    virObjectPtr privateData;
+
     char *driverName;
     int format; /* virStorageFileFormat in domain backing chains, but
                  * pool-specific enum for storage volumes */