diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/tools.c b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/tools.c
index fc370f8b08..32d9bb5ff1 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/tools.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/tools.c
@@ -453,6 +453,7 @@ done:
 #endif
 		e->e_id = NOID;
 	}
+	bdb_entry_release( &op, e, 0 );
 
 	return rc;
 }