diff --git a/net/vhost-user.c b/net/vhost-user.c
index cb45512506..d024573e45 100644
--- a/net/vhost-user.c
+++ b/net/vhost-user.c
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ static int vhost_user_start(int queues, NetClientState *ncs[], CharBackend *be)
 err:
     if (net) {
         vhost_net_cleanup(net);
+        g_free(net);
     }
     vhost_user_stop(i, ncs);
     return -1;