diff --git a/common/options.c b/common/options.c
index 83e0384..a58c5fc 100644
--- a/common/options.c
+++ b/common/options.c
@@ -189,6 +189,8 @@ int parse_option_buffer (options, buffer, length, universe)
 
 		/* If the length is outrageous, the options are bad. */
 		if (offset + len > length) {
+			/* Avoid reference count overflow */
+			option_dereference(&option, MDL);
 			reason = "option length exceeds option buffer length";
 		      bogus:
 			log_error("parse_option_buffer: malformed option "