diff --git a/src/controller/job.c b/src/controller/job.c
index 325ce42d..d9082ea7 100644
--- a/src/controller/job.c
+++ b/src/controller/job.c
@@ -239,6 +239,11 @@ static int dispatch_a_job_(cluster_t* c, endpoint_t* ep, xce_job_alloc_t* alloc)
 
         rc = get_queue_exec(c, j->job.submit->queue, &q_pre_exec, &q_post_exec);
         if (rc < 0) {
+            unlock(w);
+            dereference(w);
+            dereference(j);
+            free_launchinfo(&launchinfo);
+
             return rc;
         }
 
@@ -322,6 +327,9 @@ int job_ctrl(cluster_t* c, xce_jobctrl_t* ctrinfo)
         unlock(c->workermgr);
 
         if (rc < 0) {
+            unlock(j);
+            dereference(j);
+
             return rc;
         }
         if (w != NULL) {
@@ -917,6 +925,8 @@ int update_job_rusages(cluster_t* c, endpoint_t* ep, xce_request_t* request)
 
     w = get_ep_worker(c, ep);
     if (w == NULL) {
+        dereference(j);
+
         return errno;
     }