diff --git a/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c b/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
index f341995cb04e..d71019dcd614 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
@@ -2020,7 +2020,7 @@ int perf_pmu__test_parse_init(void)
 
 err_free:
 	for (j = 0, tmp = list; j < i; j++, tmp++)
-		free(tmp->symbol);
+		zfree(&tmp->symbol);
 	free(list);
 	return -ENOMEM;
 }