diff --git a/kernel/workqueue.c b/kernel/workqueue.c
index 93e20f5330fc..3f067f1d72e3 100644
--- a/kernel/workqueue.c
+++ b/kernel/workqueue.c
@@ -4345,6 +4345,7 @@ void destroy_workqueue(struct workqueue_struct *wq)
 
 		/* rescuer will empty maydays list before exiting */
 		kthread_stop(rescuer->task);
+		kfree(rescuer);
 	}
 
 	/* sanity checks */