diff --git a/crypto/conf/conf_mod.c b/crypto/conf/conf_mod.c
index 23912a56cc..ccd28a146a 100644
--- a/crypto/conf/conf_mod.c
+++ b/crypto/conf/conf_mod.c
@@ -368,7 +368,6 @@ static CONF_MODULE *module_add(DSO *dso, const char *name,
 
  err:
     ossl_rcu_write_unlock(module_list_lock);
-    sk_CONF_MODULE_free(new_modules);
     if (tmod != NULL) {
         OPENSSL_free(tmod->name);
         OPENSSL_free(tmod);