diff --git a/target/ppc/machine.c b/target/ppc/machine.c
index f578156dd4..abe0a1cdf0 100644
--- a/target/ppc/machine.c
+++ b/target/ppc/machine.c
@@ -239,7 +239,6 @@ static int cpu_post_load(void *opaque, int version_id)
         ppc_set_compat(cpu, cpu->compat_pvr, &local_err);
         if (local_err) {
             error_report_err(local_err);
-            error_free(local_err);
             return -1;
         }
     } else