diff --git a/tools/perf/util/header.c b/tools/perf/util/header.c
index 559c516f1cec..1cd035708931 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/header.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/header.c
@@ -2107,7 +2107,7 @@ static int process_group_desc(struct perf_file_section *section __maybe_unused,
 
 	ret = 0;
 out_free:
-	while ((int) --i >= 0)
+	for (i = 0; i < nr_groups; i++)
 		free(desc[i].name);
 	free(desc);