diff --git a/builtin/rebase.c b/builtin/rebase.c
index cd233c6118..a9062c672b 100644
--- a/builtin/rebase.c
+++ b/builtin/rebase.c
@@ -2165,6 +2165,7 @@ run_rebase:
 	ret = !!run_specific_rebase(&options, action);
 
 cleanup:
+	strbuf_release(&buf);
 	strbuf_release(&revisions);
 	free(options.head_name);
 	free(options.gpg_sign_opt);