diff --git a/src/target/riscv/riscv.c b/src/target/riscv/riscv.c
index 101b0f214..d0cf1473a 100644
--- a/src/target/riscv/riscv.c
+++ b/src/target/riscv/riscv.c
@@ -4258,6 +4258,8 @@ static int riscv_openocd_step_impl(struct target *target, bool current,
 		LOG_TARGET_ERROR(target, "Failed to re-enable watchpoints "
 				"after single-step.");
 	}
+	free(wps_to_enable);
+	//no longer needed to be kept
 
 	if (breakpoint && (riscv_add_breakpoint(target, breakpoint) != ERROR_OK)) {
 		success = false;