diff --git a/imap-send.c b/imap-send.c
index e602edc4be..01404e5047 100644
--- a/imap-send.c
+++ b/imap-send.c
@@ -1555,7 +1555,6 @@ int cmd_main(int argc, const char **argv)
 	}
 
 	if (all_msgs.len == 0) {
-		strbuf_release(&all_msgs);
 		fprintf(stderr, "nothing to send\n");
 		ret = 1;
 		goto out;
@@ -1586,5 +1585,6 @@ out:
 	free(server.user);
 	free(server.pass);
 	free(server.auth_method);
+	strbuf_release(&all_msgs);
 	return ret;
 }