diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/alsa/mixer-test.c b/tools/testing/selftests/alsa/mixer-test.c
index d4f845c32804..c5ae2a026ce9 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/alsa/mixer-test.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/alsa/mixer-test.c
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ static void find_controls(void)
 		if (err < 0) {
 			ksft_print_msg("Failed to get hctl for card %d: %s\n",
 				       card, snd_strerror(err));
+			free(card_data);
 			goto next_card;
 		}