diff --git a/kernel/workqueue.c b/kernel/workqueue.c
index da56a36830b7..3fb2d45c0b42 100644
--- a/kernel/workqueue.c
+++ b/kernel/workqueue.c
@@ -3975,6 +3975,7 @@ void destroy_workqueue(struct workqueue_struct *wq)
 
 		/* rescuer will empty maydays list before exiting */
 		kthread_stop(rescuer->task);
+		kfree(rescuer);
 	}
 
 	/* sanity checks */