diff --git a/openbsc/src/bsc_api.c b/openbsc/src/bsc_api.c
index 46a3343..9c1d090 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/bsc_api.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/bsc_api.c
@@ -113,8 +113,11 @@
 
 int gsm0808_clear(struct gsm_subscriber_connection* conn)
 {
+	struct gsm_lchan *lchan;
+
+	lchan = conn->lchan;
 	subscr_con_free(conn);
-	lchan_release(conn->lchan, 1, 0);
+	lchan_release(lchan, 1, 0);
 	return 0;
 }