diff --git a/src/control/control_remap.c b/src/control/control_remap.c
index 4d666bb4..80a0f43b 100644
--- a/src/control/control_remap.c
+++ b/src/control/control_remap.c
@@ -564,8 +564,7 @@ static int remap_load_list(snd_ctl_remap_t *remap)
 		if (err < 0)
 			break;
 	} while (list.count != list.used);
-	if (err < 0)
-		free(list.pids);
+	snd_ctl_elem_list_free_space(&list);
 	return err;
 }