diff --git a/src/rest.c b/src/rest.c
index 43871e4..2a90028 100644
--- a/src/rest.c
+++ b/src/rest.c
@@ -2445,10 +2445,15 @@ static int og_cmd_scope_get(json_t *element, struct og_msg_params *params,
 	};
 
 	root = json_object();
-	children_root = json_array();
-	if (!root || !children_root)
+	if (!root)
 		return -1;
 
+	children_root = json_array();
+	if (!children_root) {
+		json_decref(root);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
 	json_object_set(root, "scope", children_root);
 
 	dbi = og_dbi_open(&dbi_config);