diff --git a/hw/xwin/winshadgdi.c b/hw/xwin/winshadgdi.c
index 1e7cb006c..6339010b6 100644
--- a/hw/xwin/winshadgdi.c
+++ b/hw/xwin/winshadgdi.c
@@ -270,7 +270,6 @@ winQueryRGBBitsAndMasks (ScreenPtr pScreen)
   else
     {
       ErrorF ("winQueryRGBBitsAndMasks - winQueryScreenDIBFormat failed\n");
-      free (pbmih);
       fReturn = FALSE;
     }