diff --git a/mozilla/xpcom/io/nsLocalFileUnix.cpp b/mozilla/xpcom/io/nsLocalFileUnix.cpp
index 77705d22e3c..d1515e489eb 100644
--- a/mozilla/xpcom/io/nsLocalFileUnix.cpp
+++ b/mozilla/xpcom/io/nsLocalFileUnix.cpp
@@ -745,10 +745,12 @@ nsLocalFile::CopyToNative(nsIFile *newParent, const nsACString &newName)
 #endif
 
         // actually create the file.
-        nsCOMPtr<nsLocalFile> newFile = new nsLocalFile();
+        nsLocalFile *newFile = new nsLocalFile();
         if (!newFile)
             return NS_ERROR_OUT_OF_MEMORY;
 
+        nsCOMPtr<nsILocalFile> fileRef(newFile); // release on exit
+
         rv = newFile->InitWithNativePath(newPathName);
         if (NS_FAILED(rv))
             return rv;