diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
index 2ae7c6bf091e..c842e275d1ad 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
@@ -2616,8 +2616,10 @@ static void ath11k_qmi_driver_event_work(struct work_struct *work)
 		list_del(&event->list);
 		spin_unlock(&qmi->event_lock);
 
-		if (test_bit(ATH11K_FLAG_UNREGISTERING, &ab->dev_flags))
+		if (test_bit(ATH11K_FLAG_UNREGISTERING, &ab->dev_flags)) {
+			kfree(event);
 			return;
+		}
 
 		switch (event->type) {
 		case ATH11K_QMI_EVENT_SERVER_ARRIVE: