diff --git a/drivers/rptun/rptun.c b/drivers/rptun/rptun.c
index 8bc2acc1d32..a9956494a05 100644
--- a/drivers/rptun/rptun.c
+++ b/drivers/rptun/rptun.c
@@ -825,6 +825,7 @@ static int rptun_store_open(FAR void *store_,
   ret = file_read(&store->file, store->buf, len);
   if (ret < 0)
     {
+      kmm_free(store->buf);
       file_close(&store->file);
     }