diff --git a/src/backends/meta-backend.c b/src/backends/meta-backend.c
index 0a8fb872e..aa256f56a 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-backend.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-backend.c
@@ -252,6 +252,13 @@ meta_backend_dispose (GObject *object)
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (meta_backend_parent_class)->dispose (object);
 }
 
+static void
+meta_backend_destroy (MetaBackend *backend)
+{
+  g_object_run_dispose (G_OBJECT (backend));
+  g_object_unref (backend);
+}
+
 static void
 meta_backend_sync_screen_size (MetaBackend *backend)
 {
@@ -1534,7 +1541,7 @@ meta_init_backend (GType         backend_gtype,
 void
 meta_release_backend (void)
 {
-  g_clear_object (&_backend);
+  g_clear_pointer (&_backend, meta_backend_destroy);
 }
 
 void