diff --git a/src/config/pool_config.l b/src/config/pool_config.l
index 3be304bea..493bf08d9 100644
--- a/src/config/pool_config.l
+++ b/src/config/pool_config.l
@@ -450,6 +450,8 @@ ParseConfigFile(const char *config_file, const char *calling_file,
 			else
 				(*tail_p)->next = item;
 			*tail_p = item;
+
+			key = NULL;
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -458,8 +460,6 @@ ParseConfigFile(const char *config_file, const char *calling_file,
 
 parse_error:
 
-	if (key)
-		pfree(key);
 	fclose(fd);
 	FreeConfigVariables(*head_p);
 	*head_p = NULL;