diff --git a/libexec/ftpd/ftpd.c b/libexec/ftpd/ftpd.c
index 05d418895007..d64bce4deee4 100644
--- a/libexec/ftpd/ftpd.c
+++ b/libexec/ftpd/ftpd.c
@@ -785,7 +785,7 @@ inithosts(void)
 				hrp->hostname = NULL;
 				insert = 1;
 			} else {
-				if (hrp->hostinfo)
+				if (hrp->hostinfo && hrp->hostinfo != res)
 					freeaddrinfo(hrp->hostinfo);
 				insert = 0; /* host already in the chain */
 			}