diff --git a/player/client.c b/player/client.c
index e23b98b00f..61c998dbb8 100644
--- a/player/client.c
+++ b/player/client.c
@@ -818,11 +818,13 @@ int mp_client_send_event(struct MPContext *mpctx, const char *client_name,
         r = send_event(ctx, &event_data, false);
     } else {
         r = -1;
-        talloc_free(data);
     }
 
     mp_mutex_unlock(&clients->lock);
 
+    if (r < 0)
+        talloc_free(data);
+
     return r;
 }