diff --git a/openbsc/src/gsm_04_11.c b/openbsc/src/gsm_04_11.c
index 85fd6b6..5902074 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/gsm_04_11.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/gsm_04_11.c
@@ -650,7 +650,8 @@
 	sms_free(sms);
 	trans->sms.sms = NULL;
 
-	/* do not free the transaction here, this is done by sending CP-ACK */
+	/* free the transaction here */
+	trans_free(trans);
 
 	/* check for more messages for this subscriber */
 	sms = db_sms_get_unsent_for_subscr(msg->lchan->subscr);