diff --git a/src/locking/lock_daemon.c b/src/locking/lock_daemon.c
index 0d5e999ef4..6751b57bc5 100644
--- a/src/locking/lock_daemon.c
+++ b/src/locking/lock_daemon.c
@@ -1325,10 +1325,11 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
             ret = VIR_LOCK_DAEMON_ERR_NETWORK;
             goto cleanup;
         }
-    } else if (rv == 1) {
-        srv = virNetDaemonGetServer(lockDaemon->dmn, "virtlockd");
+        virObjectUnref(srv);
     }
 
+    srv = virNetDaemonGetServer(lockDaemon->dmn, "virtlockd");
+
     if (timeout != -1) {
         VIR_DEBUG("Registering shutdown timeout %d", timeout);
         virNetDaemonAutoShutdown(lockDaemon->dmn,