diff --git a/Python/import.c b/Python/import.c
index 2cac9b5..bb77ccc 100644
--- a/Python/import.c
+++ b/Python/import.c
@@ -995,8 +995,10 @@ load_source_module(char *name, char *pathname, FILE *fp)
         fclose(fpc);
         if (co == NULL)
             return NULL;
-        if (update_compiled_module(co, pathname) < 0)
+        if (update_compiled_module(co, pathname) < 0) {
+            Py_DECREF(co);
             return NULL;
+        }
         if (Py_VerboseFlag)
             PySys_WriteStderr("import %s # precompiled from %s\n",
                 name, cpathname);