diff --git a/src/pki_crypto.c b/src/pki_crypto.c
index a184eb44..b0d8660e 100644
--- a/src/pki_crypto.c
+++ b/src/pki_crypto.c
@@ -855,12 +855,13 @@ ssh_string pki_publickey_to_blob(const ssh_key key)
 
             rc = buffer_add_ssh_string(buffer, e);
             if (rc < 0) {
-
-                ssh_string_burn(e);
-                ssh_string_free(e);
                 goto fail;
             }
 
+            ssh_string_burn(e);
+            ssh_string_free(e);
+            e = NULL;
+
             break;
 #endif
         case SSH_KEYTYPE_UNKNOWN: