diff --git a/src/core/window.c b/src/core/window.c
index 26a8f369c..1b88f580e 100644
--- a/src/core/window.c
+++ b/src/core/window.c
@@ -7362,9 +7362,7 @@ meta_window_set_transient_for (MetaWindow *window,
       return;
     }
 
-  /* We know this won't create a reference cycle because we check for loops */
-  g_clear_object (&window->transient_for);
-  window->transient_for = parent ? g_object_ref (parent) : NULL;
+  g_set_object (&window->transient_for, parent);
 
   /* update stacking constraints */
   if (!window->override_redirect)