diff --git a/send-pack.c b/send-pack.c
index 86592ce526..e2faa25b98 100644
--- a/send-pack.c
+++ b/send-pack.c
@@ -257,6 +257,13 @@ static int receive_status(struct repository *r,
 				refname);
 			continue;
 		}
+
+		/*
+		 * Clients sending duplicate refs can cause the same value
+		 * to be overridden, causing a memory leak.
+		 */
+		free(hint->remote_status);
+
 		if (!strcmp(head, "ng")) {
 			hint->status = REF_STATUS_REMOTE_REJECT;
 			if (p)
diff --git a/t/t5408-send-pack-stdin.sh b/t/t5408-send-pack-stdin.sh
index 526a675045..45fb20179b 100755
--- a/t/t5408-send-pack-stdin.sh
+++ b/t/t5408-send-pack-stdin.sh
@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ test_expect_success 'cmdline refs written in order' '
 	verify_push A foo
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'cmdline refs with multiple duplicates' '
+	clear_remote &&
+	test_must_fail git send-pack remote.git A:foo B:foo C:foo &&
+	verify_push A foo
+'
+
 test_expect_success '--stdin refs come after cmdline' '
 	clear_remote &&
 	echo A:foo >input &&