diff --git a/libavdevice/pulse_audio_common.c b/libavdevice/pulse_audio_common.c
index 5a2568b82b..4046641479 100644
--- a/libavdevice/pulse_audio_common.c
+++ b/libavdevice/pulse_audio_common.c
@@ -163,8 +163,8 @@ static void pulse_add_detected_device(PulseAudioDeviceList *info,
     return;
 
   fail:
-    av_free(new_device->device_description);
-    av_free(new_device->device_name);
+    av_freep(&new_device->device_description);
+    av_freep(&new_device->device_name);
     av_free(new_device);
 
 }