diff --git a/src/devices/bluetooth/nm-bluez-manager.c b/src/devices/bluetooth/nm-bluez-manager.c
index 67c95178fb..6367bc43ab 100644
--- a/src/devices/bluetooth/nm-bluez-manager.c
+++ b/src/devices/bluetooth/nm-bluez-manager.c
@@ -396,6 +396,8 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 
 	priv->bluez_version = 0;
 
+	g_clear_object (&priv->provider);
+
 	G_OBJECT_CLASS (nm_bluez_manager_parent_class)->dispose (object);
 }
 
@@ -404,8 +406,7 @@ nm_bluez_manager_init (NMBluezManager *self)
 {
 	NMBluezManagerPrivate *priv = NM_BLUEZ_MANAGER_GET_PRIVATE (self);
 
-	priv->provider = nm_connection_provider_get ();
-	g_assert (priv->provider);
+	priv->provider = g_object_ref (nm_connection_provider_get ());
 }
 
 static NMDevice *