diff --git a/tree.go b/tree.go
index aad2c8d2..cdb55818 100644
--- a/tree.go
+++ b/tree.go
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ func (t Tree) EntryByPath(path string) (*TreeEntry, error) {
 	if ret < 0 {
 		return nil, MakeGitError(ret)
 	}
+	defer C.git_tree_entry_free(entry)
 
 	return newTreeEntry(entry), nil
 }