diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/topology.c b/tools/perf/tests/topology.c
index ec4e3b21b8311f..b5efe675b32174 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/topology.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/topology.c
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ static int session_write_header(char *path)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("failed to write header",
 			!perf_session__write_header(session, session->evlist, data.file.fd, true));
 
+	evlist__delete(session->evlist);
 	perf_session__delete(session);
 
 	return 0;