diff --git a/src/vim9execute.c b/src/vim9execute.c
index 1efed35..3e6aed0 100644
--- a/src/vim9execute.c
+++ b/src/vim9execute.c
@@ -260,7 +260,10 @@
     if (count > 0)
 	ectx->ec_stack.ga_len -= 2 * count - 1;
     else if (GA_GROW_FAILS(&ectx->ec_stack, 1))
+    {
+	dict_unref(dict);
 	return FAIL;
+    }
     else
 	++ectx->ec_stack.ga_len;
     tv = STACK_TV_BOT(-1);