diff --git a/attr.c b/attr.c
index f8f6faa94f..55bdb7cdeb 100644
--- a/attr.c
+++ b/attr.c
@@ -555,6 +555,8 @@ static void prepare_attr_stack(const char *path, int dirlen)
 		}
 	}
 
+	strbuf_release(&pathbuf);
+
 	/*
 	 * Finally push the "info" one at the top of the stack.
 	 */