diff --git a/tools/perf/util/bpf-event.c b/tools/perf/util/bpf-event.c
index fe01551dc3e6..b65ad28cd950 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/bpf-event.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/bpf-event.c
@@ -395,8 +395,10 @@ static struct bpf_metadata *bpf_metadata_create(struct bpf_prog_info *info)
 			continue;
 
 		metadata = bpf_metadata_alloc(info->nr_prog_tags, map.num_vars);
-		if (!metadata)
+		if (!metadata) {
+			bpf_metadata_free_map_data(&map);
 			continue;
+		}
 
 		bpf_metadata_fill_event(&map, &metadata->event->bpf_metadata);