diff --git a/api/logic/InstanceList.cpp b/api/logic/InstanceList.cpp
index e568211b1..a3f2e4871 100644
--- a/api/logic/InstanceList.cpp
+++ b/api/logic/InstanceList.cpp
@@ -714,6 +714,25 @@ public:
 
     virtual ~InstanceStaging() {};
 
+
+    // FIXME/TODO: add ability to abort during instance commit retries
+    bool abort() override
+    {
+        if(m_child)
+        {
+            return m_child->abort();
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+    bool canAbort() const override
+    {
+        if(m_child)
+        {
+            return m_child->canAbort();
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+
 protected:
     virtual void executeTask() override
     {
@@ -727,6 +746,7 @@ protected:
 private slots:
     void childSucceded()
     {
+        m_child.reset();
         unsigned sleepTime = backoff();
         if(m_parent->commitStagedInstance(m_stagingPath, m_instanceName, m_groupName))
         {
@@ -744,6 +764,7 @@ private slots:
     }
     void childFailed(const QString & reason)
     {
+        m_child.reset();
         m_parent->destroyStagingPath(m_stagingPath);
         emitFailed(reason);
     }