diff --git a/src/option.c b/src/option.c
index 182ff34..decba50 100644
--- a/src/option.c
+++ b/src/option.c
@@ -807,7 +807,7 @@
 	else if (options[i].var != VAR_WIN
 		&& (options[i].flags & P_STRING))
 	    // buffer-local option: free global value
-	    free_string_option(*(char_u **)options[i].var);
+	    clear_string_option((char_u **)options[i].var);
     }
 }
 #endif