diff --git a/server/core/service.c b/server/core/service.c
index f205338ed..9797bdaf8 100644
--- a/server/core/service.c
+++ b/server/core/service.c
@@ -802,6 +802,10 @@ serviceAddBackend(SERVICE *service, SERVER *server)
                     atomic_synchronize();
                     prev->next = new_ref;
                 }
+                else
+                {
+                    MXS_FREE(new_ref);
+                }
             }
             else
             {