diff --git a/src/network/networkd-link.c b/src/network/networkd-link.c
index 6bcb078808..a813fca565 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-link.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-link.c
@@ -2688,6 +2688,8 @@ int get_product_uuid_handler(sd_bus_message *m, void *userdata, sd_bus_error *re
 
 configure:
         while ((link = set_steal_first(manager->links_requesting_uuid))) {
+                link_unref(link);
+
                 r = link_configure(link);
                 if (r < 0)
                         link_enter_failed(link);
@@ -2760,6 +2762,8 @@ static int link_configure_duid(Link *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 74266ff12a..fe7c388826 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-manager.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-manager.c
@@ -1818,6 +1818,8 @@ int manager_request_product_uuid(Manager *m, Link *link) {
                 r = set_put(m->duids_requesting_uuid, duid);
                 if (r < 0)
                         return log_oom();
+
+                link_ref(link);
         }
 
         if (!m->bus || sd_bus_is_ready(m->bus) <= 0) {