diff --git a/src/backend/metal/MetalBackend.mm b/src/backend/metal/MetalBackend.mm
index e0eb7a315d..3275582b1b 100644
--- a/src/backend/metal/MetalBackend.mm
+++ b/src/backend/metal/MetalBackend.mm
@@ -152,7 +152,6 @@ namespace backend { namespace metal {
     id<MTLCommandBuffer> Device::GetPendingCommandBuffer() {
         if (mPendingCommands == nil) {
             mPendingCommands = [mCommandQueue commandBuffer];
-            [mPendingCommands retain];
         }
         return mPendingCommands;
     }