diff --git a/ext/mysql2/client.c b/ext/mysql2/client.c
index 1f475a2..0ed0047 100644
--- a/ext/mysql2/client.c
+++ b/ext/mysql2/client.c
@@ -142,7 +142,6 @@ static VALUE nogvl_close(void * ptr) {
   if (!wrapper->closed) {
     mysql_close(wrapper->client);
     wrapper->closed = 1;
-    free(wrapper->client);
   }
   return Qnil;
 }