diff --git a/src/backends/meta-barrier.c b/src/backends/meta-barrier.c
index ad6c8d583..71536c3d7 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-barrier.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-barrier.c
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ static void
 meta_barrier_dispose (GObject *object)
 {
   MetaBarrier *barrier = META_BARRIER (object);
+  MetaBarrierPrivate *priv = barrier->priv;
 
   if (meta_barrier_is_active (barrier))
     {
@@ -135,6 +136,8 @@ meta_barrier_dispose (GObject *object)
                 barrier);
     }
 
+  g_clear_object (&priv->impl);
+
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (meta_barrier_parent_class)->dispose (object);
 }