diff --git a/zone/task_client_state.cpp b/zone/task_client_state.cpp
index 55cf2799a..49c906183 100644
--- a/zone/task_client_state.cpp
+++ b/zone/task_client_state.cpp
@@ -990,8 +990,8 @@ void ClientTaskState::RewardTask(Client *c, const TaskInformation *ti, ClientTas
 			}
 
 			if (item_id > 0) {
-				EQ::ItemInstance *inst   = database.CreateItem(item_id, charges);
-				bool             stacked = c->TryStacking(inst);
+				std::unique_ptr<EQ::ItemInstance> inst(database.CreateItem(item_id, charges));
+				bool             stacked = c->TryStacking(inst.get());
 				if (!stacked) {
 					int16_t slot = c->GetInv().FindFreeSlot(inst->IsClassBag(), true, inst->GetItem()->Size);
 					c->SummonItem(item_id, charges, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, false, slot);