diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/tasks/child_create.c b/src/libcharon/sa/tasks/child_create.c
index 79ca6cf5a..e40f34dc9 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/tasks/child_create.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/tasks/child_create.c
@@ -1323,7 +1323,6 @@ child_create_t *child_create_create(ike_sa_t *ike_sa,
 		this->public.task.build = _build_i;
 		this->public.task.process = _process_i;
 		this->initiator = TRUE;
-		config->get_ref(config);
 	}
 	else
 	{