diff --git a/builtin/remote.c b/builtin/remote.c
index a995ea86c17..d0bf999abf7 100644
--- a/builtin/remote.c
+++ b/builtin/remote.c
@@ -571,6 +571,7 @@ static int read_remote_branches(const char *refname,
 		else
 			item->util = NULL;
 	}
+	strbuf_release(&buf);
 
 	return 0;
 }