diff --git a/ext/pulse/pulsesink.c b/ext/pulse/pulsesink.c
index c20b0a0f85..abad2b806d 100644
--- a/ext/pulse/pulsesink.c
+++ b/ext/pulse/pulsesink.c
@@ -2164,13 +2164,14 @@ gst_pulsesink_query_getcaps (GstPulseSink * psink, GstCaps * filter)
 
     pbuf->probe_stream = gst_pulsesink_create_probe_stream (psink, pbuf,
         format);
+
+    pa_format_info_free (format);
+
     if (!pbuf->probe_stream) {
       GST_WARNING_OBJECT (psink, "Could not create probe stream");
       goto unlock;
     }
 
-    pa_format_info_free (format);
-
     stream = pbuf->probe_stream;
   }