diff --git a/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c b/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
index a578e3b6e2..9027acba81 100644
--- a/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
+++ b/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
@@ -524,10 +524,12 @@ static int do_daemonize(char *name, const char *pidfile)
             exit(1);
         }
 
-        if ( close(fd) < 0 ) {
+        if (close(fd) < 0) {
             perror("Closing pidfile");
             exit(1);
         }
+
+        free(pid);
     }
 
 out: