diff --git a/babeld/babel_zebra.c b/babeld/babel_zebra.c
index d8b8919e21..3a7a52ccca 100644
--- a/babeld/babel_zebra.c
+++ b/babeld/babel_zebra.c
@@ -400,4 +400,5 @@ void
 babel_zebra_close_connexion(void)
 {
     zclient_stop(zclient);
+    zclient_free(zclient);
 }