diff --git a/grub-core/kern/file.c b/grub-core/kern/file.c
index df24c1fd4..8d48fd50d 100644
--- a/grub-core/kern/file.c
+++ b/grub-core/kern/file.c
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ grub_file_open (const char *name, enum grub_file_type type)
 
   device = grub_device_open (device_name);
   grub_free (device_name);
+  device_name = NULL;
   if (! device)
     goto fail;
 
@@ -131,6 +132,7 @@ grub_file_open (const char *name, enum grub_file_type type)
   return file;
 
  fail:
+  grub_free (device_name);
   if (device)
     grub_device_close (device);