diff --git a/tools/perf/util/bpf-loader.c b/tools/perf/util/bpf-loader.c
index fbb3c4057c30..71710a1da447 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/bpf-loader.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/bpf-loader.c
@@ -1214,9 +1214,10 @@ bpf__obj_config_map(struct bpf_object *obj,
 	pr_debug("ERROR: Invalid map config option '%s'\n", map_opt);
 	err = -BPF_LOADER_ERRNO__OBJCONF_MAP_OPT;
 out:
-	free(map_name);
 	if (!err)
 		*key_scan_pos += strlen(map_opt);
+
+	free(map_name);
 	return err;
 }