diff --git a/src/compositor/meta-background-actor.c b/src/compositor/meta-background-actor.c
index 199e63d60..349f9b90f 100644
--- a/src/compositor/meta-background-actor.c
+++ b/src/compositor/meta-background-actor.c
@@ -252,6 +252,8 @@ meta_background_actor_dispose (GObject *object)
       cogl_handle_unref (priv->material);
       priv->material = COGL_INVALID_HANDLE;
     }
+
+  G_OBJECT_CLASS (meta_background_actor_parent_class)->dispose (object);
 }
 
 static void