diff --git a/src/sample.c b/src/sample.c
index ff84b3eba..5b52dfd2f 100644
--- a/src/sample.c
+++ b/src/sample.c
@@ -3644,6 +3644,8 @@ static int smp_check_const_meth(struct arg *args, char **err)
 
 	meth = find_http_meth(args[0].data.str.area, args[0].data.str.data);
 	if (meth != HTTP_METH_OTHER) {
+		free(args[0].data.str.area);
+
 		args[0].type = ARGT_SINT;
 		args[0].data.sint = meth;
 	} else {