diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/cocoa/qcocoaaccessibilityelement.mm b/src/plugins/platforms/cocoa/qcocoaaccessibilityelement.mm
index 7d46ad5cde..c722ffb3bf 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/cocoa/qcocoaaccessibilityelement.mm
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/cocoa/qcocoaaccessibilityelement.mm
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ static QAccessibleInterface *acast(void *ptr)
         [attributes addObject : NSAccessibilityValueAttribute];
     }
 
-    return attributes;
+    return [attributes autorelease];
 }
 
 - (id)accessibilityAttributeValue:(NSString *)attribute {