diff --git a/nrf5/modules/ubluepy/ubluepy_service.c b/nrf5/modules/ubluepy/ubluepy_service.c
index baea19f6bc..d7e6095f07 100644
--- a/nrf5/modules/ubluepy/ubluepy_service.c
+++ b/nrf5/modules/ubluepy/ubluepy_service.c
@@ -78,6 +78,9 @@ STATIC mp_obj_t ubluepy_service_make_new(const mp_obj_type_t *type, size_t n_arg
                   "Invalid UUID parameter"));
     }
 
+    // clear reference to peripheral
+    s->p_periph = NULL;
+
     return MP_OBJ_FROM_PTR(s);
 }
 
@@ -92,6 +95,10 @@ STATIC mp_obj_t service_add_characteristic(mp_obj_t self_in, mp_obj_t characteri
 
     bool retval = ble_drv_characteristic_add(p_char);
 
+    if (retval) {
+        p_char->p_service = self;
+    }
+
     return mp_obj_new_bool(retval);
 }
 STATIC MP_DEFINE_CONST_FUN_OBJ_2(ubluepy_service_add_char_obj, service_add_characteristic);