diff --git a/src/3rdparty/sixel/output.c b/src/3rdparty/sixel/output.c
index 9efd97d78..14fde7102 100644
--- a/src/3rdparty/sixel/output.c
+++ b/src/3rdparty/sixel/output.c
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ sixel_output_new(
         sixel_helper_set_additional_message(
             "sixel_output_new: sixel_allocator_malloc() failed.");
         status = SIXEL_BAD_ALLOCATION;
+        sixel_allocator_unref(allocator);
         goto end;
     }