diff --git a/block/crypto.c b/block/crypto.c
index aef5a5721a..b3a5275132 100644
--- a/block/crypto.c
+++ b/block/crypto.c
@@ -735,6 +735,8 @@ fail:
          */
         if ((r_del < 0) && (r_del != -ENOTSUP)) {
             error_report_err(local_delete_err);
+        } else {
+            error_free(local_delete_err);
         }
     }