diff --git a/src/network/networkd-link.c b/src/network/networkd-link.c
index baa1cd3f7f..c2fb21c736 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-link.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-link.c
@@ -3129,12 +3129,12 @@ static int link_configure_duid(Link *link) {
                 r = set_put(m->links_requesting_uuid, link);
                 if (r < 0)
                         return log_oom();
+                if (r > 0)
+                        link_ref(link);
 
                 r = set_put(m->duids_requesting_uuid, duid);
                 if (r < 0)
                         return log_oom();
-
-                link_ref(link);
         }
 
         return 0;
diff --git a/src/network/networkd-manager.c b/src/network/networkd-manager.c
index 14a883aa30..08666fd92d 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-manager.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-manager.c
@@ -2312,12 +2312,12 @@ int manager_request_product_uuid(Manager *m, Link *link) {
                 r = set_ensure_put(&m->links_requesting_uuid, NULL, link);
                 if (r < 0)
                         return log_oom();
+                if (r > 0)
+                        link_ref(link);
 
                 r = set_ensure_put(&m->duids_requesting_uuid, NULL, duid);
                 if (r < 0)
                         return log_oom();
-
-                link_ref(link);
         }
 
         if (!m->bus || sd_bus_is_ready(m->bus) <= 0) {