diff --git a/subprojects/gst-editing-services/tools/ges-launcher.c b/subprojects/gst-editing-services/tools/ges-launcher.c
index 5d20f13de3..23b2cfe3b6 100644
--- a/subprojects/gst-editing-services/tools/ges-launcher.c
+++ b/subprojects/gst-editing-services/tools/ges-launcher.c
@@ -1087,6 +1087,7 @@ _run_pipeline (GESLauncher * self)
       if (!ges_project_load (project, self->priv->timeline, NULL)) {
         ges_printerr ("Could not load timeline: %s\n",
             opts->sanitized_timeline);
+        g_clear_pointer (&opts->sanitized_timeline, &g_free);
         return FALSE;
       }
     }