diff --git a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_entry.c b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_entry.c
index b25afc9ea5..e4acd795fd 100644
--- a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_entry.c
+++ b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_entry.c
@@ -1030,7 +1030,10 @@ _item_tags_remove(const char *str)
      return NULL;
 
    if (!eina_strbuf_append(buf, str))
-     return NULL;
+     {
+        eina_strbuf_free(buf);
+        return NULL;
+     }
 
    while (EINA_TRUE)
      {