diff --git a/src/st/st-label.c b/src/st/st-label.c
index a7893b074..515e34323 100644
--- a/src/st/st-label.c
+++ b/src/st/st-label.c
@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@ st_label_dispose (GObject   *object)
 {
   StLabelPrivate *priv = ST_LABEL (object)->priv;
 
+  priv->label = NULL;
   g_clear_pointer (&priv->text_shadow_pipeline, cogl_object_unref);
 
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (st_label_parent_class)->dispose (object);