diff --git a/src/corelib/kernel/qobject.cpp b/src/corelib/kernel/qobject.cpp
index a75d053bf0f..5a32c6f2147 100644
--- a/src/corelib/kernel/qobject.cpp
+++ b/src/corelib/kernel/qobject.cpp
@@ -3770,17 +3770,14 @@ struct SlotObjectGuard {
     }
 
     QtPrivate::QSlotObjectBase const *operator->() const
-    { return m_slotObject; }
+    { return m_slotObject.get(); }
 
     QtPrivate::QSlotObjectBase *operator->()
-    { return m_slotObject; }
+    { return m_slotObject.get(); }
 
-    ~SlotObjectGuard() {
-        if (m_slotObject)
-            m_slotObject->destroyIfLastRef();
-    }
+    ~SlotObjectGuard() = default;
 private:
-    QtPrivate::QSlotObjectBase *m_slotObject = nullptr;
+    QtPrivate::SlotObjUniquePtr m_slotObject;
 };
 
 /*!