diff --git a/block.c b/block.c
index 0dbb1fcc7b..a381c8ece8 100644
--- a/block.c
+++ b/block.c
@@ -2792,6 +2792,7 @@ static BlockDriverState *bdrv_open_inherit(const char *filename,
     bdrv_parent_cb_change_media(bs, true);
 
     qobject_unref(options);
+    options = NULL;
 
     /* For snapshot=on, create a temporary qcow2 overlay. bs points to the
      * temporary snapshot afterwards. */