diff --git a/include/haproxy/pool-t.h b/include/haproxy/pool-t.h
index 1801f135b..524c871b8 100644
--- a/include/haproxy/pool-t.h
+++ b/include/haproxy/pool-t.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 #define MEM_F_SHARED	0x1
 #define MEM_F_EXACT	0x2
 #define MEM_F_UAF	0x4
+#define MEM_F_STATREG	0x8 /* static registration: do not free it! */
 
 /* A special pointer for the pool's free_list that indicates someone is
  * currently manipulating it. Serves as a short-lived lock.
diff --git a/src/pool.c b/src/pool.c
index 159a28a1b..43359403f 100644
--- a/src/pool.c
+++ b/src/pool.c
@@ -1049,7 +1049,8 @@ void *pool_destroy(struct pool_head *pool)
 
 			list_for_each_entry_safe(reg, back, &pool->regs, list) {
 				LIST_DELETE(&reg->list);
-				free(reg);
+				if (!(reg->flags & MEM_F_STATREG))
+					free(reg);
 			}
 
 			LIST_DELETE(&pool->list);