diff --git a/src/afs/afs_cell.c b/src/afs/afs_cell.c
index 10c04f6afb..29cf64fc10 100644
--- a/src/afs/afs_cell.c
+++ b/src/afs/afs_cell.c
@@ -1119,6 +1119,10 @@ shutdown_cell(void)
 	cn = next;
     }
 }
+    if (afs_thiscell) {
+	afs_osi_FreeStr(afs_thiscell);
+	afs_thiscell = NULL;
+    }
 }
 
 /*!