diff --git a/maestro/ofi.c b/maestro/ofi.c
index c04e7ff62ff39b2903587039eb128b7c270a94c1..71aadca8b13ae7cfb643b94861ffef73dcd1e272 100644
--- a/maestro/ofi.c
+++ b/maestro/ofi.c
@@ -3180,6 +3180,9 @@ mstro_pm__register_app_op(mstro_pool_operation op,
     ERR("Failed to register application: %d (%s)\n", s, mstro_status_description(s));
     DEBUG("Sending WELCOME-NACK\n");
     return s;
+  } else {
+    join_msg->transport_methods = NULL; /* we kept a reference to it, caller will free the message */
+    //DEBUG("Assigned app ID %"PRIu64"\n", (*entry_p)->appid);
   }
   
   return s;