diff --git a/dlls/dplayx/lobbysp.c b/dlls/dplayx/lobbysp.c
index 72198da2e9c..3528f94e345 100644
--- a/dlls/dplayx/lobbysp.c
+++ b/dlls/dplayx/lobbysp.c
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ HRESULT dplobbysp_create( REFIID riid, void **ppv, IDirectPlayImpl *dp )
     return DPERR_OUTOFMEMORY;
 
   obj->IDPLobbySP_iface.lpVtbl = &dpLobbySPVT;
-  obj->ref = 0;
+  obj->ref = 1;
   obj->dplay = dp;
 
   hr = IDPLobbySP_QueryInterface( &obj->IDPLobbySP_iface, riid, ppv );