diff --git a/clients/tools/common.c b/clients/tools/common.c
index d8a6414fd2..8cf561baca 100644
--- a/clients/tools/common.c
+++ b/clients/tools/common.c
@@ -724,8 +724,6 @@ tool_args( int argc, char **argv )
 					control );
 				usage();
 			}
-			ber_memfree( control );
-			control = NULL;
 			break;
 		case 'f':	/* read from file */
 			if( infile != NULL ) {