diff --git a/usr.sbin/bhyve/pci_emul.c b/usr.sbin/bhyve/pci_emul.c
index f30096bfaf54..eeb68715b657 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/bhyve/pci_emul.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/bhyve/pci_emul.c
@@ -231,7 +231,8 @@ pci_parse_slot(char *opt)
 	si->si_funcs[fnum].fi_param = config;
 
 done:
-	free(str);
+	if (error)
+		free(str);
 
 	return (error);
 }