diff --git a/src/tools.c b/src/tools.c
index 7a48969ec..cdd9cbe5f 100644
--- a/src/tools.c
+++ b/src/tools.c
@@ -4744,7 +4744,8 @@ char *indent_msg(char **out, int level)
 	needed = 1 + level * (lf + 1) + len + 1;
 	p = ret = malloc(needed);
 	if (unlikely(!ret))
-		return NULL;
+		goto leave;
+
 	in = *out;
 
 	/* skip initial LFs */
@@ -4764,6 +4765,7 @@ char *indent_msg(char **out, int level)
 	}
 	*p = 0;
 
+ leave:
 	free(*out);
 	*out = ret;