diff --git a/Zend/zend_variables.c b/Zend/zend_variables.c
index 56b9b675986..b476bd9f8d2 100644
--- a/Zend/zend_variables.c
+++ b/Zend/zend_variables.c
@@ -205,7 +205,9 @@ ZEND_API void zval_add_ref(zval *p)
 {
 	if (Z_REFCOUNTED_P(p)) {
 		if (Z_ISREF_P(p) && Z_REFCOUNT_P(p) == 1) {
+			zend_reference *ref = Z_REF_P(p);
 			ZVAL_COPY(p, Z_REFVAL_P(p));
+			efree(ref);
 		} else {
 			Z_ADDREF_P(p);
 		}