diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/search.c b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/search.c
index 0352720f13..94dd13553f 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/search.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-ldbm/search.c
@@ -368,6 +368,8 @@ searchit:
 						? LDAP_SCOPE_BASE
 						: LDAP_SCOPE_SUBTREE );
 
+				ber_bvarray_free( erefs );
+
 				send_search_reference( op, rs );
 
 				ber_bvarray_free( rs->sr_ref );