diff --git a/tests/virnetserverclienttest.c b/tests/virnetserverclienttest.c
index c80870141c..96b69b3e45 100644
--- a/tests/virnetserverclienttest.c
+++ b/tests/virnetserverclienttest.c
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ static int testIdentity(const void *opaque ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED)
     ret = 0;
  cleanup:
     virObjectUnref(sock);
+    virNetServerClientClose(client);
     virObjectUnref(client);
     virObjectUnref(ident);
     VIR_FORCE_CLOSE(sv[0]);