diff --git a/wiretap/pcapng.c b/wiretap/pcapng.c
index e174ca5a86..ad37e118cf 100644
--- a/wiretap/pcapng.c
+++ b/wiretap/pcapng.c
@@ -623,6 +623,7 @@ pcapng_read_section_header_block(FILE_T fh, pcapng_block_header_t *bh,
         bytes_read = pcapng_read_option(fh, pn, &oh, option_content, opt_cont_buf_len, to_read, err, err_info, "section_header");
         if (bytes_read <= 0) {
             pcapng_debug("pcapng_read_section_header_block: failed to read option");
+            g_free(option_content);
             return PCAPNG_BLOCK_ERROR;
         }
         to_read -= bytes_read;