diff --git a/src/vmware/vmware_driver.c b/src/vmware/vmware_driver.c
index b4b809f1a8..783496f4de 100644
--- a/src/vmware/vmware_driver.c
+++ b/src/vmware/vmware_driver.c
@@ -922,8 +922,7 @@ vmwareDomainLookupByName(virConnectPtr conn, const char *name)
     dom = virGetDomain(conn, vm->def->name, vm->def->uuid, vm->def->id);
 
  cleanup:
-    if (vm)
-        virObjectUnlock(vm);
+    virDomainObjEndAPI(&vm);
     return dom;
 }