diff --git a/subprojects/gst-plugins-base/tests/check/elements/compositor.c b/subprojects/gst-plugins-base/tests/check/elements/compositor.c
index dc3cb233a7..2397974355 100644
--- a/subprojects/gst-plugins-base/tests/check/elements/compositor.c
+++ b/subprojects/gst-plugins-base/tests/check/elements/compositor.c
@@ -2627,12 +2627,12 @@ GST_START_TEST (test_stream_start_after_eos)
   while (!test_data.buf)
     g_cond_wait (&test_data.cond, &test_data.lock);
   g_mutex_unlock (&test_data.lock);
-  gst_buffer_unref (test_data.buf);
 
   state_res = gst_element_set_state (bin, GST_STATE_NULL);
   ck_assert_int_ne (state_res, GST_STATE_CHANGE_FAILURE);
 
   /* cleanup */
+  gst_buffer_unref (test_data.buf);
   g_main_loop_unref (main_loop);
   gst_bus_remove_signal_watch (bus);
   gst_object_unref (bus);
@@ -2728,12 +2728,12 @@ GST_START_TEST (test_new_pad_after_eos)
   while (!test_data.buf)
     g_cond_wait (&test_data.cond, &test_data.lock);
   g_mutex_unlock (&test_data.lock);
-  gst_buffer_unref (test_data.buf);
 
   state_res = gst_element_set_state (bin, GST_STATE_NULL);
   ck_assert_int_ne (state_res, GST_STATE_CHANGE_FAILURE);
 
   /* cleanup */
+  gst_buffer_unref (test_data.buf);
   g_main_loop_unref (main_loop);
   gst_bus_remove_signal_watch (bus);
   gst_object_unref (bus);