diff --git a/servers/slapd/schema_init.c b/servers/slapd/schema_init.c
index ff204a1903..f37cbf19ce 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/schema_init.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/schema_init.c
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ nameUIDValidate(
 
 	rc = dnValidate( NULL, &dn );
 
-	ber_memfree( &dn );
+	ber_memfree( dn.bv_val );
 	return rc;
 }