diff --git a/servers/slapd/backend.c b/servers/slapd/backend.c
index 9e63b862d1..43018f39db 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/backend.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/backend.c
@@ -1440,6 +1440,7 @@ backend_attribute(
 			rc = backend_operational( op, &rs );
 
 			if ( rc == LDAP_SUCCESS ) {
+				freeattr = 1;
 				a = rs.sr_operational_attrs;
 			}
 		}