diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc_process.c b/src/lxc/lxc_process.c
index bc321e360d..85c7bcc321 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc_process.c
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc_process.c
@@ -420,8 +420,7 @@ static int virLXCProcessSetupNamespaceName(virConnectPtr conn, int ns_type, cons
 
  cleanup:
     VIR_FREE(path);
-    virObjectUnlock(vm);
-    virObjectUnref(vm);
+    virDomainObjEndAPI(&vm);
     return fd;
 }