diff --git a/servers/slapd/overlays/syncprov.c b/servers/slapd/overlays/syncprov.c
index a722bae7aa..1a7e975808 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/overlays/syncprov.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/overlays/syncprov.c
@@ -863,7 +863,6 @@ syncprov_sendresp( Operation *op, opcookie *opc, syncops *so,
 				break;
 			}
 		}
-		slap_free_ctrls( op, rs.sr_ctrls );
 		rs.sr_ctrls = NULL;
 	}