diff --git a/sanei/sanei_usb.c b/sanei/sanei_usb.c
index 1430985fd..cdcca3f5b 100644
--- a/sanei/sanei_usb.c
+++ b/sanei/sanei_usb.c
@@ -2039,6 +2039,10 @@ sanei_usb_close (SANE_Int dn)
     DBG (1, "sanei_usb_close: libusb support missing\n");
 #endif
   devices[dn].open = SANE_FALSE;
+  if (devices[dn].devname) {
+    free(devices[dn].devname);
+    devices[dn].devname = NULL;
+  }
   return;
 }