diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index f6d69e741..06cfbef2d 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ shell_dbus_acquire_name (GDBusProxy  *bus,
                                                        &error)))
     {
       g_printerr ("failed to acquire %s: %s\n", name, error ? error->message : "");
+      g_clear_error (&error);
       if (!fatal)
         return;
       exit (1);