diff --git a/lib/dns/message.c b/lib/dns/message.c
index 8280aa287f..b0d5f16da7 100644
--- a/lib/dns/message.c
+++ b/lib/dns/message.c
@@ -1130,6 +1130,9 @@ getquestions(isc_buffer_t *source, dns_message_t *msg, dns_decompress_t dctx,
 
 cleanup:
 	if (rdataset != NULL) {
+		if (dns_rdataset_isassociated(rdataset)) {
+			dns_rdataset_disassociate(rdataset);
+		}
 		dns_message_puttemprdataset(msg, &rdataset);
 	}