diff --git a/drivers/of/resolver.c b/drivers/of/resolver.c
index 2dd19dc6987c..d5c1b2a126a5 100644
--- a/drivers/of/resolver.c
+++ b/drivers/of/resolver.c
@@ -262,8 +262,9 @@ static int adjust_local_phandle_references(struct device_node *local_fixups,
  */
 int of_resolve_phandles(struct device_node *overlay)
 {
-	struct device_node *child, *local_fixups, *refnode;
+	struct device_node *child, *refnode;
 	struct device_node *overlay_fixups;
+	struct device_node __free(device_node) *local_fixups = NULL;
 	struct property *prop;
 	const char *refpath;
 	phandle phandle, phandle_delta;