diff --git a/openair3/NGAP/ngap_gNB.c b/openair3/NGAP/ngap_gNB.c
index 488345261d..ae8d806e18 100644
--- a/openair3/NGAP/ngap_gNB.c
+++ b/openair3/NGAP/ngap_gNB.c
@@ -313,6 +313,7 @@ void *ngap_gNB_process_itti_msg(void *notUsed) {
 
       case NGAP_NAS_FIRST_REQ:
         ngap_gNB_handle_nas_first_req(instance, &NGAP_NAS_FIRST_REQ(received_msg));
+        free_byte_array(NGAP_NAS_FIRST_REQ(received_msg).nas_pdu);
         break;
 
       case NGAP_UPLINK_NAS: