diff --git a/builtin/pack-objects.c b/builtin/pack-objects.c
index d2a162d528..868efe7e0f 100644
--- a/builtin/pack-objects.c
+++ b/builtin/pack-objects.c
@@ -3603,7 +3603,6 @@ static void read_cruft_objects(void)
 			string_list_append(&discard_packs, buf.buf + 1);
 		else
 			string_list_append(&fresh_packs, buf.buf);
-		strbuf_reset(&buf);
 	}
 
 	string_list_sort(&discard_packs);