diff --git a/sequencer.c b/sequencer.c
index e23f6f0b71..433fec2156 100644
--- a/sequencer.c
+++ b/sequencer.c
@@ -2897,6 +2897,7 @@ static void read_strategy_opts(struct replay_opts *opts, struct strbuf *buf)
 	strbuf_reset(buf);
 	if (!read_oneliner(buf, rebase_path_strategy(), 0))
 		return;
+	free(opts->strategy);
 	opts->strategy = strbuf_detach(buf, NULL);
 	if (!read_oneliner(buf, rebase_path_strategy_opts(), 0))
 		return;