diff --git a/ref-filter.c b/ref-filter.c
index fd1cb14b0f..914908fac5 100644
--- a/ref-filter.c
+++ b/ref-filter.c
@@ -1722,6 +1722,8 @@ char *get_head_description(void)
 	} else
 		strbuf_addstr(&desc, _("(no branch)"));
 
+	wt_status_state_free_buffers(&state);
+
 	return strbuf_detach(&desc, NULL);
 }