diff --git a/media/ndk/NdkMediaCodec.cpp b/media/ndk/NdkMediaCodec.cpp
index 2cb7cc7..50b490d 100644
--- a/media/ndk/NdkMediaCodec.cpp
+++ b/media/ndk/NdkMediaCodec.cpp
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@
             PRIORITY_FOREGROUND);
     if (res != OK) {
         ALOGE("Failed to start the looper");
+        AMediaCodec_delete(mData);
         return NULL;
     }
     if (name_is_type) {