diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/cocoa/qcocoamenuloader.mm b/src/plugins/platforms/cocoa/qcocoamenuloader.mm
index 6d3c668b87e..b5ee3479aa5 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/cocoa/qcocoamenuloader.mm
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/cocoa/qcocoamenuloader.mm
@@ -186,8 +186,8 @@
         if (appMenu.supermenu)
             unparentAppMenu(appMenu.supermenu);
 
-    NSMenuItem *appMenuItem = [[NSMenuItem alloc] initWithTitle:@"Apple"
-                               action:nil keyEquivalent:@""];
+    NSMenuItem *appMenuItem = [[[NSMenuItem alloc] initWithTitle:@"Apple"
+                               action:nil keyEquivalent:@""] autorelease];
     appMenuItem.submenu = appMenu;
     [menu insertItem:appMenuItem atIndex:0];
 }