diff --git a/src/map.c b/src/map.c
index b7bb46c..c416c0a 100644
--- a/src/map.c
+++ b/src/map.c
@@ -2574,7 +2574,10 @@
 		if ((d = dict_alloc()) == NULL)
 		    return;
 		if (list_append_dict(rettv->vval.v_list, d) == FAIL)
+		{
+		    dict_unref(d);
 		    return;
+		}
 
 		keys_buf = NULL;
 		did_simplify = FALSE;