diff --git a/openair2/F1AP/f1ap_cu_interface_management.c b/openair2/F1AP/f1ap_cu_interface_management.c
index 8332bfd21d58217800c0eb52913b5201a08b3f8f..48c5c2de1106fdfdc28c5fa96db7671f9f7fda21 100644
--- a/openair2/F1AP/f1ap_cu_interface_management.c
+++ b/openair2/F1AP/f1ap_cu_interface_management.c
@@ -248,6 +248,7 @@ int CU_handle_F1_SETUP_REQUEST(instance_t instance,
     itti_send_msg_to_task(TASK_RRC_ENB, ENB_MODULE_ID_TO_INSTANCE(instance), message_p);
   } else {
     CU_send_F1_SETUP_FAILURE(instance);
+    itti_free(TASK_RRC_ENB,message_p);
     return -1;
   }
   return 0;