diff --git a/camera/libcameraservice/CameraService.cpp b/camera/libcameraservice/CameraService.cpp
index cb8ab588..701259e 100644
--- a/camera/libcameraservice/CameraService.cpp
+++ b/camera/libcameraservice/CameraService.cpp
@@ -217,7 +217,13 @@
     // allow anyone to use camera
     LOGV("unlock (%p)", getCameraClient()->asBinder().get());
     status_t result = checkPid();
-    if (result == NO_ERROR) mClientPid = 0;
+    if (result == NO_ERROR) {
+        mClientPid = 0;
+
+        // we need to remove the reference so that when app goes
+        // away, the reference count goes to 0.
+        mCameraClient.clear();
+    }
     return result;
 }