diff --git a/trusty/storage/proxy/storage.c b/trusty/storage/proxy/storage.c
index 229948119..8c8edb779 100644
--- a/trusty/storage/proxy/storage.c
+++ b/trusty/storage/proxy/storage.c
@@ -353,7 +353,6 @@ int storage_file_open(struct storage_msg* msg, const void* r, size_t req_len,
     if (open_flags & O_CREAT) {
         sync_parent(path, watcher);
     }
-    free(path);
 
     /* at this point rc contains storage file fd */
     msg->result = STORAGE_NO_ERROR;
@@ -361,6 +360,9 @@ int storage_file_open(struct storage_msg* msg, const void* r, size_t req_len,
     ALOGV("%s: \"%s\": fd = %u: handle = %d\n",
           __func__, path, rc, resp.handle);
 
+    free(path);
+    path = NULL;
+
     /* a backing file has been opened, notify any waiting init steps */
     if (!fs_ready_initialized) {
         rc = property_set(FS_READY_PROPERTY, "1");