diff --git a/ext/mysql2/client.c b/ext/mysql2/client.c
index f95bd53..379adff 100644
--- a/ext/mysql2/client.c
+++ b/ext/mysql2/client.c
@@ -133,12 +133,9 @@ static VALUE nogvl_close(void *ptr) {
 
     mysql_close(wrapper->client);
     wrapper->client->net.fd = -1;
-  }
-
-  if (!wrapper->freed) {
-    wrapper->freed = 1;
     free(wrapper->client);
   }
+
   return Qnil;
 }
 
@@ -157,7 +154,6 @@ static VALUE allocate(VALUE klass) {
   wrapper->encoding = Qnil;
   wrapper->active = 0;
   wrapper->closed = 0;
-  wrapper->freed  = 0;
   wrapper->client = (MYSQL*)malloc(sizeof(MYSQL));
   return obj;
 }
diff --git a/ext/mysql2/client.h b/ext/mysql2/client.h
index fca99c4..d5c2993 100644
--- a/ext/mysql2/client.h
+++ b/ext/mysql2/client.h
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ typedef struct {
   VALUE encoding;
   short int active;
   short int closed;
-  short int freed;
   MYSQL *client;
 } mysql_client_wrapper;