diff --git a/src/conf/network_conf.c b/src/conf/network_conf.c
index d16b705928..7bd7ba9db2 100644
--- a/src/conf/network_conf.c
+++ b/src/conf/network_conf.c
@@ -295,6 +295,7 @@ virNetworkAssignDef(virNetworkObjListPtr nets,
 
     if ((network = virNetworkFindByName(nets, def->name))) {
         if (virNetworkObjAssignDef(network, def, live) < 0) {
+            virNetworkObjUnlock(network);
             return NULL;
         }
         return network;