diff --git a/drivers/net/softnic/rte_eth_softnic_cli.c b/drivers/net/softnic/rte_eth_softnic_cli.c
index 7891f2b24f..f133bebfdd 100644
--- a/drivers/net/softnic/rte_eth_softnic_cli.c
+++ b/drivers/net/softnic/rte_eth_softnic_cli.c
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ cmd_softnic_pipeline_libbuild(struct pmd_internals *softnic __rte_unused,
 	buffer = malloc(MAX_LINE_SIZE);
 	if (!buffer) {
 		snprintf(out, out_size, MSG_OUT_OF_MEMORY);
-		return;
+		goto free;
 	}
 
 	snprintf(buffer,