diff --git a/libs/ardour/ardour/vst3_plugin.h b/libs/ardour/ardour/vst3_plugin.h
index c71052f0a7..69e162a667 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/ardour/vst3_plugin.h
+++ b/libs/ardour/ardour/vst3_plugin.h
@@ -237,8 +237,8 @@ private:
 	Linux::IRunLoop* _run_loop;
 #endif
 
-	FUnknownPtr<Vst::IAudioProcessor> _processor;
-	Vst::ProcessContext               _context;
+	IPtr<Vst::IAudioProcessor> _processor;
+	Vst::ProcessContext        _context;
 
 	/* Parameters */
 	Vst3ParameterChanges _input_param_changes;
diff --git a/libs/ardour/vst3_plugin.cc b/libs/ardour/vst3_plugin.cc
index 545bc9abc4..5eb35d2453 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/vst3_plugin.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/vst3_plugin.cc
@@ -1103,7 +1103,7 @@ VST3PI::VST3PI (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::VST3PluginModule> m, std::string uniqu
 		throw failed_constructor ();
 	}
 
-	if (!(_processor = FUnknownPtr<Vst::IAudioProcessor> (_component).take ())) {
+	if (!(_processor = FUnknownPtr<Vst::IAudioProcessor> (_component))) {
 		_controller->terminate ();
 		_controller->release ();
 		_component->terminate ();
@@ -1111,8 +1111,6 @@ VST3PI::VST3PI (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::VST3PluginModule> m, std::string uniqu
 		throw failed_constructor ();
 	}
 
-	_processor->addRef ();
-
 	/* prepare process context */
 	memset (&_context, 0, sizeof (Vst::ProcessContext));
 
@@ -1242,7 +1240,6 @@ VST3PI::terminate ()
 
 	deactivate ();
 
-	_processor->release ();
 	_processor = 0;
 
 	disconnect_components ();