diff --git a/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-adapter.c b/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-adapter.c
index 4c36f3de4..caa50b0f1 100644
--- a/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-adapter.c
+++ b/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-adapter.c
@@ -229,7 +229,6 @@ nm_bluez_adapter_new (const char *path, NMConnectionProvider *provider)
 {
 	NMBluezAdapter *self;
 	NMBluezAdapterPrivate *priv;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	DBusGConnection *connection;
 
 	self = (NMBluezAdapter *) g_object_new (NM_TYPE_BLUEZ_ADAPTER,
@@ -242,14 +241,12 @@ nm_bluez_adapter_new (const char *path, NMConnectionProvider *provider)
 
 	priv->provider = provider;
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-	connection = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (dbus_mgr);
+	connection = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (nm_dbus_manager_get ());
 
 	priv->proxy = dbus_g_proxy_new_for_name (connection,
 	                                         BLUEZ_SERVICE,
 	                                         priv->path,
 	                                         BLUEZ_ADAPTER_INTERFACE);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
 
 	dbus_g_proxy_add_signal (priv->proxy, "DeviceCreated",
 	                         DBUS_TYPE_G_OBJECT_PATH, G_TYPE_INVALID);
diff --git a/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-device.c b/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-device.c
index 21e3d4624..83175da15 100644
--- a/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-device.c
+++ b/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-device.c
@@ -378,7 +378,6 @@ nm_bluez_device_new (const char *path, NMConnectionProvider *provider)
 {
 	NMBluezDevice *self;
 	NMBluezDevicePrivate *priv;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	DBusGConnection *connection;
 
 	g_return_val_if_fail (path != NULL, NULL);
@@ -414,14 +413,12 @@ nm_bluez_device_new (const char *path, NMConnectionProvider *provider)
 	                  G_CALLBACK (cp_connections_loaded),
 	                  self);
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-	connection = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (dbus_mgr);
+	connection = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (nm_dbus_manager_get ());
 
 	priv->proxy = dbus_g_proxy_new_for_name (connection,
 	                                         BLUEZ_SERVICE,
 	                                         priv->path,
 	                                         BLUEZ_DEVICE_INTERFACE);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
 
 	dbus_g_object_register_marshaller (g_cclosure_marshal_generic,
 	                                   G_TYPE_NONE,
diff --git a/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-manager.c b/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-manager.c
index 35d4b436b..78a41f852 100644
--- a/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-manager.c
+++ b/src/bluez-manager/nm-bluez-manager.c
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 	if (priv->dbus_mgr) {
 		g_signal_handlers_disconnect_by_func (priv->dbus_mgr, name_owner_changed_cb, self);
 		g_signal_handlers_disconnect_by_func (priv->dbus_mgr, dbus_connection_changed_cb, self);
-		g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
+		priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 	}
 
 	G_OBJECT_CLASS (nm_bluez_manager_parent_class)->dispose (object);
diff --git a/src/devices/nm-device-bt.c b/src/devices/nm-device-bt.c
index 2bd756543..b64e513df 100644
--- a/src/devices/nm-device-bt.c
+++ b/src/devices/nm-device-bt.c
@@ -1235,7 +1235,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 		g_signal_handler_disconnect (priv->dbus_mgr, priv->mm_watch_id);
 		priv->mm_watch_id = 0;
 	}
-	g_clear_object (&priv->dbus_mgr);
+	priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 
 	g_clear_object (&priv->type_proxy);
 	g_clear_object (&priv->dev_proxy);
diff --git a/src/devices/wimax/nm-wimax-nsp.c b/src/devices/wimax/nm-wimax-nsp.c
index 42083ee55..4e62d4fe7 100644
--- a/src/devices/wimax/nm-wimax-nsp.c
+++ b/src/devices/wimax/nm-wimax-nsp.c
@@ -95,7 +95,6 @@ void
 nm_wimax_nsp_export_to_dbus (NMWimaxNsp *self)
 {
 	NMWimaxNspPrivate *priv;
-	NMDBusManager *mgr;
 	static guint32 counter = 0;
 
 	g_return_if_fail (NM_IS_WIMAX_NSP (self));
@@ -104,10 +103,8 @@ nm_wimax_nsp_export_to_dbus (NMWimaxNsp *self)
 
 	g_return_if_fail (priv->dbus_path == NULL);
 
-	mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
 	priv->dbus_path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH_WIMAX_NSP "/%d", counter++);
-	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (mgr, priv->dbus_path, self);
-	g_object_unref (mgr);
+	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (nm_dbus_manager_get (), priv->dbus_path, self);
 }
 
 const char *
diff --git a/src/dhcp-manager/nm-dhcp-manager.c b/src/dhcp-manager/nm-dhcp-manager.c
index 6885ad1de..893fa8219 100644
--- a/src/dhcp-manager/nm-dhcp-manager.c
+++ b/src/dhcp-manager/nm-dhcp-manager.c
@@ -687,7 +687,6 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 		g_signal_handler_disconnect (priv->dbus_mgr, priv->dis_conn_id);
 		priv->dis_conn_id = 0;
 	}
-	g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
 	priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 
 	if (priv->proxies) {
diff --git a/src/firewall-manager/nm-firewall-manager.c b/src/firewall-manager/nm-firewall-manager.c
index e3f48d988..d73069fca 100644
--- a/src/firewall-manager/nm-firewall-manager.c
+++ b/src/firewall-manager/nm-firewall-manager.c
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 	if (priv->dbus_mgr) {
 		if (priv->name_owner_id)
 			g_signal_handler_disconnect (priv->dbus_mgr, priv->name_owner_id);
-		g_object_unref (G_OBJECT (priv->dbus_mgr));
+		priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 	}
 
 	if (priv->proxy)
diff --git a/src/modem-manager/nm-modem-generic.c b/src/modem-manager/nm-modem-generic.c
index 8832d2e65..e564bc7ca 100644
--- a/src/modem-manager/nm-modem-generic.c
+++ b/src/modem-manager/nm-modem-generic.c
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ G_DEFINE_TYPE (NMModemGeneric, nm_modem_generic, NM_TYPE_MODEM)
 #define NM_MODEM_GENERIC_GET_PRIVATE(o) (G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_PRIVATE ((o), NM_TYPE_MODEM_GENERIC, NMModemGenericPrivate))
 
 typedef struct {
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	DBusGProxy *proxy;
 	DBusGProxy *props_proxy;
 
@@ -354,9 +353,6 @@ modem_properties_changed (DBusGProxy *proxy,
 static void
 nm_modem_generic_init (NMModemGeneric *self)
 {
-	NMModemGenericPrivate *priv = NM_MODEM_GENERIC_GET_PRIVATE (self);
-
-	priv->dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
 }
 
 static GObject*
@@ -374,7 +370,7 @@ constructor (GType type,
 
 	priv = NM_MODEM_GENERIC_GET_PRIVATE (object);
 
-	bus = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (priv->dbus_mgr);
+	bus = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (nm_dbus_manager_get ());
 	priv->proxy = dbus_g_proxy_new_for_name (bus,
 	                                         MM_OLD_DBUS_SERVICE,
 	                                         nm_modem_get_path (NM_MODEM (object)),
@@ -416,11 +412,6 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 		priv->props_proxy = NULL;
 	}
 
-	if (priv->dbus_mgr) {
-		g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
-		priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
-	}
-
 	G_OBJECT_CLASS (nm_modem_generic_parent_class)->dispose (object);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/modem-manager/nm-modem-manager.c b/src/modem-manager/nm-modem-manager.c
index d3106506d..1c834afb4 100644
--- a/src/modem-manager/nm-modem-manager.c
+++ b/src/modem-manager/nm-modem-manager.c
@@ -802,10 +802,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 		g_hash_table_destroy (self->priv->modems);
 	}
 
-	if (self->priv->dbus_mgr) {
-		g_object_unref (self->priv->dbus_mgr);
-		self->priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
-	}
+	self->priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 
 	/* Chain up to the parent class */
 	G_OBJECT_CLASS (nm_modem_manager_parent_class)->dispose (object);
diff --git a/src/nm-active-connection.c b/src/nm-active-connection.c
index a47d2ae20..9a9aaf0b9 100644
--- a/src/nm-active-connection.c
+++ b/src/nm-active-connection.c
@@ -212,13 +212,10 @@ void
 nm_active_connection_export (NMActiveConnection *self)
 {
 	NMActiveConnectionPrivate *priv = NM_ACTIVE_CONNECTION_GET_PRIVATE (self);
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	static guint32 counter = 0;
 
 	priv->path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH "/ActiveConnection/%d", counter++);
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (dbus_mgr, priv->path, self);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
+	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (nm_dbus_manager_get (), priv->path, self);
 }
 
 gboolean
diff --git a/src/nm-dbus-manager.c b/src/nm-dbus-manager.c
index 5eb73f763..88f661744 100644
--- a/src/nm-dbus-manager.c
+++ b/src/nm-dbus-manager.c
@@ -79,16 +79,15 @@ NMDBusManager *
 nm_dbus_manager_get (void)
 {
 	static NMDBusManager *singleton = NULL;
+	static gsize once = 0;
 
-	if (!singleton) {
-		singleton = NM_DBUS_MANAGER (g_object_new (NM_TYPE_DBUS_MANAGER, NULL));
+	if (g_once_init_enter (&once)) {
+		singleton = (NMDBusManager *) g_object_new (NM_TYPE_DBUS_MANAGER, NULL);
+		g_assert (singleton);
 		if (!nm_dbus_manager_init_bus (singleton))
 			start_reconnection_timeout (singleton);
-	} else {
-		g_object_ref (singleton);
+		g_once_init_leave (&once, 1);
 	}
-
-	g_assert (singleton);
 	return singleton;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/nm-dhcp4-config.c b/src/nm-dhcp4-config.c
index e9ddb9b93..bb01fc51b 100644
--- a/src/nm-dhcp4-config.c
+++ b/src/nm-dhcp4-config.c
@@ -140,12 +140,9 @@ nm_dhcp4_config_init (NMDHCP4Config *self)
 {
 	NMDHCP4ConfigPrivate *priv = NM_DHCP4_CONFIG_GET_PRIVATE (self);
 	static guint32 counter = 0;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
 	priv->dbus_path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH "/DHCP4Config/%d", counter++);
-	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (dbus_mgr, priv->dbus_path, self);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
+	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (nm_dbus_manager_get (), priv->dbus_path, self);
 
 	priv->options = g_hash_table_new_full (g_str_hash, g_str_equal, g_free, nm_gvalue_destroy);
 }
diff --git a/src/nm-dhcp6-config.c b/src/nm-dhcp6-config.c
index 4e2ab9e96..26c8d811c 100644
--- a/src/nm-dhcp6-config.c
+++ b/src/nm-dhcp6-config.c
@@ -140,12 +140,9 @@ nm_dhcp6_config_init (NMDHCP6Config *self)
 {
 	NMDHCP6ConfigPrivate *priv = NM_DHCP6_CONFIG_GET_PRIVATE (self);
 	static guint32 counter = 0;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
 	priv->dbus_path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH "/DHCP6Config/%d", counter++);
-	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (dbus_mgr, priv->dbus_path, self);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
+	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (nm_dbus_manager_get (), priv->dbus_path, self);
 
 	priv->options = g_hash_table_new_full (g_str_hash, g_str_equal, g_free, nm_gvalue_destroy);
 }
diff --git a/src/nm-dispatcher.c b/src/nm-dispatcher.c
index 98034f672..36fe1fc51 100644
--- a/src/nm-dispatcher.c
+++ b/src/nm-dispatcher.c
@@ -134,14 +134,12 @@ fill_vpn_props (NMIP4Config *ip4_config,
 typedef struct {
 	DispatcherFunc callback;
 	gpointer user_data;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 } DispatchInfo;
 
 static void
 dispatcher_info_free (DispatchInfo *info)
 {
 	requests = g_slist_remove (requests, info);
-	g_object_unref (info->dbus_mgr);
 	g_free (info);
 }
 
@@ -273,7 +271,6 @@ _dispatcher_call (DispatcherAction action,
                   DispatcherFunc callback,
                   gpointer user_data)
 {
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	DBusGProxy *proxy;
 	DBusGConnection *g_connection;
 	GHashTable *connection_hash;
@@ -295,15 +292,13 @@ _dispatcher_call (DispatcherAction action,
 	if (action == DISPATCHER_ACTION_VPN_UP)
 		g_return_val_if_fail (vpn_ip4_config != NULL, NULL);
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-	g_connection = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (dbus_mgr);
+	g_connection = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (nm_dbus_manager_get ());
 	proxy = dbus_g_proxy_new_for_name (g_connection,
 	                                   NM_DISPATCHER_DBUS_SERVICE,
 	                                   NM_DISPATCHER_DBUS_PATH,
 	                                   NM_DISPATCHER_DBUS_IFACE);
 	if (!proxy) {
 		nm_log_err (LOGD_CORE, "could not get dispatcher proxy!");
-		g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -342,7 +337,6 @@ _dispatcher_call (DispatcherAction action,
 	info = g_malloc0 (sizeof (*info));
 	info->callback = callback;
 	info->user_data = user_data;
-	info->dbus_mgr = dbus_mgr;
 
 	/* Send the action to the dispatcher */
 	call = dbus_g_proxy_begin_call_with_timeout (proxy, "Action",
diff --git a/src/nm-ip4-config.c b/src/nm-ip4-config.c
index 14a83f9ff..9493bb283 100644
--- a/src/nm-ip4-config.c
+++ b/src/nm-ip4-config.c
@@ -145,7 +145,6 @@ void
 nm_ip4_config_export (NMIP4Config *config)
 {
 	NMIP4ConfigPrivate *priv;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	static guint32 counter = 0;
 
 	g_return_if_fail (NM_IS_IP4_CONFIG (config));
@@ -153,10 +152,8 @@ nm_ip4_config_export (NMIP4Config *config)
 	priv = NM_IP4_CONFIG_GET_PRIVATE (config);
 	g_return_if_fail (priv->path == NULL);
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
 	priv->path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH "/IP4Config/%d", counter++);
-	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (dbus_mgr, priv->path, config);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
+	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (nm_dbus_manager_get (), priv->path, config);
 }
 
 const char *
diff --git a/src/nm-ip6-config.c b/src/nm-ip6-config.c
index c491439a7..ad6877209 100644
--- a/src/nm-ip6-config.c
+++ b/src/nm-ip6-config.c
@@ -142,7 +142,6 @@ void
 nm_ip6_config_export (NMIP6Config *config)
 {
 	NMIP6ConfigPrivate *priv;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	static guint32 counter = 0;
 
 	g_return_if_fail (NM_IS_IP6_CONFIG (config));
@@ -150,10 +149,8 @@ nm_ip6_config_export (NMIP6Config *config)
 	priv = NM_IP6_CONFIG_GET_PRIVATE (config);
 	g_return_if_fail (priv->path == NULL);
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
 	priv->path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH "/IP6Config/%d", counter++);
-	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (dbus_mgr, priv->path, config);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
+	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (nm_dbus_manager_get (), priv->path, config);
 }
 
 const char *
diff --git a/src/nm-manager-auth.c b/src/nm-manager-auth.c
index 3b3260f60..eea74f215 100644
--- a/src/nm-manager-auth.c
+++ b/src/nm-manager-auth.c
@@ -150,15 +150,11 @@ nm_auth_chain_new (DBusGMethodInvocation *context,
 {
 	gulong sender_uid = G_MAXULONG;
 	char *sender = NULL;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	NMAuthChain *chain = NULL;
 
 	g_return_val_if_fail (context != NULL, NULL);
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-	g_assert (dbus_mgr);
-
-	if (nm_dbus_manager_get_caller_info (dbus_mgr,
+	if (nm_dbus_manager_get_caller_info (nm_dbus_manager_get (),
 	                                     context,
 	                                     &sender,
 	                                     &sender_uid)) {
@@ -169,7 +165,6 @@ nm_auth_chain_new (DBusGMethodInvocation *context,
 		*out_error_desc = "Unable to determine request UID and sender.";
 
 	g_free (sender);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
 	return chain;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/nm-manager.c b/src/nm-manager.c
index 91c4f225f..119992111 100644
--- a/src/nm-manager.c
+++ b/src/nm-manager.c
@@ -4150,7 +4150,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 		dbus_connection_remove_filter (dbus_connection, prop_filter, manager);
 	}
 	g_signal_handler_disconnect (priv->dbus_mgr, priv->dbus_connection_changed_id);
-	g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
+	priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 
 	if (priv->bluez_mgr)
 		g_object_unref (priv->bluez_mgr);
diff --git a/src/nm-sleep-monitor-upower.c b/src/nm-sleep-monitor-upower.c
index 3c93f6637..58402abd4 100644
--- a/src/nm-sleep-monitor-upower.c
+++ b/src/nm-sleep-monitor-upower.c
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
-#include <dbus/dbus-glib-lowlevel.h>
 #include <dbus/dbus-glib.h>
 #include <gio/gio.h>
 #include "nm-logging.h"
@@ -73,11 +72,9 @@ upower_resuming_cb (DBusGProxy *proxy, gpointer user_data)
 static void
 nm_sleep_monitor_init (NMSleepMonitor *self)
 {
-        NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
         DBusGConnection *bus;
 
-        dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-        bus = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (dbus_mgr);
+        bus = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (nm_dbus_manager_get ());
         self->upower_proxy = dbus_g_proxy_new_for_name (bus,
                                                         UPOWER_DBUS_SERVICE,
                                                         "/org/freedesktop/UPower",
@@ -94,7 +91,6 @@ nm_sleep_monitor_init (NMSleepMonitor *self)
                                              self, NULL);
         } else
                 nm_log_warn (LOGD_SUSPEND, "could not initialize UPower D-Bus proxy");
-        g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/src/nm-wifi-ap.c b/src/nm-wifi-ap.c
index f09350518..fa9c53aef 100644
--- a/src/nm-wifi-ap.c
+++ b/src/nm-wifi-ap.c
@@ -317,7 +317,6 @@ void
 nm_ap_export_to_dbus (NMAccessPoint *ap)
 {
 	NMAccessPointPrivate *priv;
-	NMDBusManager *mgr;
 	static guint32 counter = 0;
 
 	g_return_if_fail (NM_IS_AP (ap));
@@ -329,10 +328,8 @@ nm_ap_export_to_dbus (NMAccessPoint *ap)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
 	priv->dbus_path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH_ACCESS_POINT "/%d", counter++);
-	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (mgr, priv->dbus_path, ap);
-	g_object_unref (mgr);
+	nm_dbus_manager_register_object (nm_dbus_manager_get (), priv->dbus_path, ap);
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/src/ppp-manager/nm-ppp-manager.c b/src/ppp-manager/nm-ppp-manager.c
index 8202b9f3b..66cff935f 100644
--- a/src/ppp-manager/nm-ppp-manager.c
+++ b/src/ppp-manager/nm-ppp-manager.c
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ typedef struct {
 	gboolean disposed;
 
 	GPid pid;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_manager;
 	char *dbus_path;
 
 	char *parent_iface;
@@ -147,20 +146,12 @@ constructor (GType type,
 	object = G_OBJECT_CLASS (nm_ppp_manager_parent_class)->constructor (type,
 	                                                                    n_construct_params,
 	                                                                    construct_params);
-	if (!object)
-		return NULL;
-
-	priv = NM_PPP_MANAGER_GET_PRIVATE (object);
-	priv->dbus_manager = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-	if (!priv->dbus_manager) {
-		g_object_unref (object);
-		return NULL;
+	if (object) {
+		priv = NM_PPP_MANAGER_GET_PRIVATE (object);
+		priv->dbus_path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH "/PPP/%d", counter++);
+		connection = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (nm_dbus_manager_get ());
+		dbus_g_connection_register_g_object (connection, priv->dbus_path, object);
 	}
-
-	connection = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (priv->dbus_manager);
-	priv->dbus_path = g_strdup_printf (NM_DBUS_PATH "/PPP/%d", counter++);
-	dbus_g_connection_register_g_object (connection, priv->dbus_path, object);
-
 	return object;
 }
 
@@ -178,9 +169,6 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 			g_object_unref (priv->act_req);
 			priv->act_req = NULL;
 		}
-
-		g_object_unref (priv->dbus_manager);
-		priv->dbus_manager = NULL;
 	}
 
 	G_OBJECT_CLASS (nm_ppp_manager_parent_class)->dispose (object);
diff --git a/src/settings/nm-agent-manager.c b/src/settings/nm-agent-manager.c
index c2406ff93..00bc2f815 100644
--- a/src/settings/nm-agent-manager.c
+++ b/src/settings/nm-agent-manager.c
@@ -1477,7 +1477,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 		g_hash_table_destroy (priv->requests);
 
 		g_object_unref (priv->session_monitor);
-		g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
+		priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 	}
 
 	G_OBJECT_CLASS (nm_agent_manager_parent_class)->dispose (object);
diff --git a/src/settings/nm-secret-agent.c b/src/settings/nm-secret-agent.c
index d69f6b45f..f889b7b3c 100644
--- a/src/settings/nm-secret-agent.c
+++ b/src/settings/nm-secret-agent.c
@@ -426,7 +426,6 @@ nm_secret_agent_new (DBusGMethodInvocation *context,
 {
 	NMSecretAgent *self;
 	NMSecretAgentPrivate *priv;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	char *hash_str, *username;
 	struct passwd *pw;
 
@@ -450,14 +449,12 @@ nm_secret_agent_new (DBusGMethodInvocation *context,
 	priv->hash = g_str_hash (hash_str);
 	g_free (hash_str);
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-	priv->proxy = nm_dbus_manager_new_proxy (dbus_mgr,
+	priv->proxy = nm_dbus_manager_new_proxy (nm_dbus_manager_get (),
 	                                         context,
 	                                         owner,
 	                                         NM_DBUS_PATH_SECRET_AGENT,
 	                                         NM_DBUS_INTERFACE_SECRET_AGENT);
 	g_assert (priv->proxy);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
 
 	g_free (username);
 	return self;
diff --git a/src/settings/nm-settings-connection.c b/src/settings/nm-settings-connection.c
index 11cf5d72d..087ba1bcc 100644
--- a/src/settings/nm-settings-connection.c
+++ b/src/settings/nm-settings-connection.c
@@ -82,7 +82,6 @@ static guint signals[LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
 typedef struct {
 	gboolean disposed;
 
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
 	NMAgentManager *agent_mgr;
 	NMSessionMonitor *session_monitor;
 	guint session_changed_id;
@@ -919,7 +918,6 @@ pk_auth_cb (NMAuthChain *chain,
 static gboolean
 check_user_in_acl (NMConnection *connection,
                    DBusGMethodInvocation *context,
-                   NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr,
                    NMSessionMonitor *session_monitor,
                    gulong *out_sender_uid,
                    GError **error)
@@ -932,7 +930,7 @@ check_user_in_acl (NMConnection *connection,
 	g_return_val_if_fail (session_monitor != NULL, FALSE);
 
 	/* Get the caller's UID */
-	if (!nm_dbus_manager_get_caller_info (dbus_mgr, context, NULL, &sender_uid)) {
+	if (!nm_dbus_manager_get_caller_info (nm_dbus_manager_get (), context, NULL, &sender_uid)) {
 		g_set_error_literal (error,
 		                     NM_SETTINGS_ERROR,
 		                     NM_SETTINGS_ERROR_PERMISSION_DENIED,
@@ -970,7 +968,6 @@ auth_start (NMSettingsConnection *self,
 
 	if (!check_user_in_acl (NM_CONNECTION (self),
 	                        context,
-	                        priv->dbus_mgr,
 	                        priv->session_monitor,
 	                        &sender_uid,
 	                        &error)) {
@@ -1230,7 +1227,6 @@ impl_settings_connection_update (NMSettingsConnection *self,
 	 */
 	if (!check_user_in_acl (tmp,
 	                        context,
-	                        priv->dbus_mgr,
 	                        priv->session_monitor,
 	                        NULL,
 	                        &error)) {
@@ -1721,8 +1717,6 @@ nm_settings_connection_init (NMSettingsConnection *self)
 {
 	NMSettingsConnectionPrivate *priv = NM_SETTINGS_CONNECTION_GET_PRIVATE (self);
 
-	priv->dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-
 	priv->visible = FALSE;
 
 	priv->session_monitor = nm_session_monitor_get ();
@@ -1773,7 +1767,6 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 		g_signal_handler_disconnect (priv->session_monitor, priv->session_changed_id);
 	g_object_unref (priv->session_monitor);
 	g_object_unref (priv->agent_mgr);
-	g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
 
 out:
 	G_OBJECT_CLASS (nm_settings_connection_parent_class)->dispose (object);
diff --git a/src/settings/nm-settings.c b/src/settings/nm-settings.c
index 043bb1897..aa6abeb0b 100644
--- a/src/settings/nm-settings.c
+++ b/src/settings/nm-settings.c
@@ -1650,7 +1650,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 		nm_auth_chain_unref ((NMAuthChain *) iter->data);
 	g_slist_free (priv->auths);
 
-	g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
+	priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 
 	g_object_unref (priv->session_monitor);
 	g_object_unref (priv->agent_mgr);
diff --git a/src/supplicant-manager/nm-supplicant-interface.c b/src/supplicant-manager/nm-supplicant-interface.c
index ba7e0e523..7da5394b7 100644
--- a/src/supplicant-manager/nm-supplicant-interface.c
+++ b/src/supplicant-manager/nm-supplicant-interface.c
@@ -1595,8 +1595,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 
 	g_free (priv->dev);
 
-	if (priv->dbus_mgr)
-		g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
+	priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 
 	if (priv->cfg)
 		g_object_unref (priv->cfg);
diff --git a/src/supplicant-manager/nm-supplicant-manager.c b/src/supplicant-manager/nm-supplicant-manager.c
index f9489a44d..247aba373 100644
--- a/src/supplicant-manager/nm-supplicant-manager.c
+++ b/src/supplicant-manager/nm-supplicant-manager.c
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 	if (priv->dbus_mgr) {
 		if (priv->name_owner_id)
 			g_signal_handler_disconnect (priv->dbus_mgr, priv->name_owner_id);
-		g_object_unref (G_OBJECT (priv->dbus_mgr));
+		priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 	}
 
 	g_hash_table_destroy (priv->ifaces);
diff --git a/src/vpn-manager/nm-vpn-connection.c b/src/vpn-manager/nm-vpn-connection.c
index 0161712bb..a494c21a4 100644
--- a/src/vpn-manager/nm-vpn-connection.c
+++ b/src/vpn-manager/nm-vpn-connection.c
@@ -1175,19 +1175,18 @@ void
 nm_vpn_connection_activate (NMVPNConnection *connection)
 {
 	NMVPNConnectionPrivate *priv;
-	NMDBusManager *dbus_mgr;
+	DBusGConnection *bus;
 
 	g_return_if_fail (NM_IS_VPN_CONNECTION (connection));
 	g_return_if_fail (nm_vpn_connection_get_vpn_state (connection) == NM_VPN_CONNECTION_STATE_PREPARE);
 
 	priv = NM_VPN_CONNECTION_GET_PRIVATE (connection);
 
-	dbus_mgr = nm_dbus_manager_get ();
-	priv->proxy = dbus_g_proxy_new_for_name (nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (dbus_mgr),
+	bus = nm_dbus_manager_get_connection (nm_dbus_manager_get ());
+	priv->proxy = dbus_g_proxy_new_for_name (bus,
 	                                         nm_vpn_connection_get_service (connection),
 	                                         NM_VPN_DBUS_PLUGIN_PATH,
 	                                         NM_VPN_DBUS_PLUGIN_INTERFACE);
-	g_object_unref (dbus_mgr);
 
 	dbus_g_proxy_add_signal (priv->proxy, "Failure", G_TYPE_UINT, G_TYPE_INVALID);
 	dbus_g_proxy_connect_signal (priv->proxy, "Failure",
diff --git a/src/vpn-manager/nm-vpn-service.c b/src/vpn-manager/nm-vpn-service.c
index d4980cee3..29b39faf1 100644
--- a/src/vpn-manager/nm-vpn-service.c
+++ b/src/vpn-manager/nm-vpn-service.c
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ dispose (GObject *object)
 	clear_quit_timeout (self);
 	service_quit (self);
 
-	g_object_unref (priv->dbus_mgr);
+	priv->dbus_mgr = NULL;
 
 	g_free (priv->name);
 	g_free (priv->dbus_service);