diff --git a/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_gNB/gNB_scheduler_primitives.c b/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_gNB/gNB_scheduler_primitives.c
index bf754a7276..9cbb8877f5 100644
--- a/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_gNB/gNB_scheduler_primitives.c
+++ b/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_gNB/gNB_scheduler_primitives.c
@@ -3191,7 +3191,7 @@ bool prepare_initial_ul_rrc_message(gNB_MAC_INST *mac, NR_UE_info_t *UE)
   const NR_ServingCellConfigCommon_t *scc = mac->common_channels[CC_id].ServingCellConfigCommon;
   const NR_ServingCellConfig_t *sccd = mac->common_channels[CC_id].pre_ServingCellConfig;
   NR_CellGroupConfig_t *cellGroupConfig = get_initial_cellGroupConfig(UE->uid, scc, sccd, &mac->radio_config);
-
+  ASN_STRUCT_FREE(asn_DEF_NR_CellGroupConfig, UE->CellGroup);
   UE->CellGroup = cellGroupConfig;
 
   /* the cellGroup sent to CU specifies there is SRB1, so create it */