diff --git a/src/rspro_util.c b/src/rspro_util.c
index 1e5ce99..5c78b60 100644
--- a/src/rspro_util.c
+++ b/src/rspro_util.c
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
 	return msg;
 }
 
-/* consumes 'msg' _if_ it is successful */
+/* caller must make sure to free msg */
 RsproPDU_t *rspro_dec_msg(struct msgb *msg)
 {
 	RsproPDU_t *pdu = NULL;
@@ -91,12 +91,9 @@
 	if (rval.code != RC_OK) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "Failed to decode: %d. Consumed %lu of %u bytes\n",
 			rval.code, rval.consumed, msgb_length(msg));
-		msgb_free(msg);
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
-	msgb_free(msg);
-
 	return pdu;
 }