diff --git a/openair2/RRC/NR_UE/rrc_UE.c b/openair2/RRC/NR_UE/rrc_UE.c
index e77ddefcd9..49cdb39ec9 100644
--- a/openair2/RRC/NR_UE/rrc_UE.c
+++ b/openair2/RRC/NR_UE/rrc_UE.c
@@ -1793,6 +1793,9 @@ void *rrc_nrue(void *notUsed)
 			  NR_RRC_DCCH_DATA_IND(msg_p).sdu_size,
 			  NR_RRC_DCCH_DATA_IND(msg_p).gNB_index,
 			  &NR_RRC_DCCH_DATA_IND(msg_p).msg_integrity);
+    /* this is allocated by itti_malloc in PDCP task (deliver_sdu_srb)
+       then passed to the RRC task and freed after use */
+    free(NR_RRC_DCCH_DATA_IND(msg_p).sdu_p);
     break;
 
   case NAS_KENB_REFRESH_REQ: