diff --git a/openair2/NR_UE_PHY_INTERFACE/NR_IF_Module.c b/openair2/NR_UE_PHY_INTERFACE/NR_IF_Module.c
index c64ae2e427..bb6d742ac9 100644
--- a/openair2/NR_UE_PHY_INTERFACE/NR_IF_Module.c
+++ b/openair2/NR_UE_PHY_INTERFACE/NR_IF_Module.c
@@ -958,13 +958,15 @@ int nr_ue_dl_indication(nr_downlink_indication_t *dl_info, NR_UL_TIME_ALIGNMENT_
     }
 
     //clean up nr_downlink_indication_t *dl_info
-    if(dl_info->dci_ind != NULL){
-      free(dl_info->dci_ind);
-      dl_info->dci_ind = NULL;
-    }
-    if(dl_info->rx_ind != NULL){
-      free(dl_info->rx_ind);
-      dl_info->rx_ind  = NULL;
+    if (get_softmodem_params()->nsa) {
+      if (dl_info->dci_ind != NULL) {
+        free(dl_info->dci_ind);
+        dl_info->dci_ind = NULL;
+      }
+      if (dl_info->rx_ind != NULL) {
+        free(dl_info->rx_ind);
+        dl_info->rx_ind  = NULL;
+      }
     }
   }
   return 0;