diff --git a/hw/9pfs/9p.c b/hw/9pfs/9p.c
index d938427..7557a7d 100644
--- a/hw/9pfs/9p.c
+++ b/hw/9pfs/9p.c
@@ -3261,6 +3261,7 @@
     xattr_fidp->fs.xattr.flags = flags;
     v9fs_string_init(&xattr_fidp->fs.xattr.name);
     v9fs_string_copy(&xattr_fidp->fs.xattr.name, &name);
+    g_free(xattr_fidp->fs.xattr.value);
     xattr_fidp->fs.xattr.value = g_malloc0(size);
     err = offset;
     put_fid(pdu, file_fidp);