diff --git a/src/tray/unix/SDL_tray.c b/src/tray/unix/SDL_tray.c
index a281396b7f..faf3545b93 100644
--- a/src/tray/unix/SDL_tray.c
+++ b/src/tray/unix/SDL_tray.c
@@ -307,6 +307,7 @@ SDL_Tray *SDL_CreateTray(SDL_Surface *icon, const char *tooltip)
 
     SDL_RegisterTray(tray);
     SDL_Gtk_ExitContext(gtk);
+    SDL_free(sdl_dir);
 
     return tray;