diff --git a/lib/conf-lex.l b/lib/conf-lex.l
index b0e8fd94..9912c026 100644
--- a/lib/conf-lex.l
+++ b/lib/conf-lex.l
@@ -276,6 +276,7 @@ ignore{BLANK}*	{
 <<EOF>>		{
 		  strcpy(sensors_lex_error,
 			"Reached end-of-file without a matching double quote.");
+		  buffer_free();
 		  BEGIN(MIDDLE);
 		  return ERROR;
 		}