diff --git a/builtin/merge.c b/builtin/merge.c
index 5900b81729..a6698adbfd 100644
--- a/builtin/merge.c
+++ b/builtin/merge.c
@@ -1794,5 +1794,6 @@ done:
 	}
 	strbuf_release(&buf);
 	free(branch_to_free);
+	discard_index(&the_index);
 	return ret;
 }
diff --git a/builtin/reset.c b/builtin/reset.c
index fdce6f8c85..69f18a248e 100644
--- a/builtin/reset.c
+++ b/builtin/reset.c
@@ -481,5 +481,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (!pathspec.nr)
 		remove_branch_state(the_repository, 0);
 
+	discard_index(&the_index);
+
 	return update_ref_status;
 }