diff --git a/spa/plugins/libcamera/libcamera_wrapper.cpp b/spa/plugins/libcamera/libcamera_wrapper.cpp
index b786424de..8d7ab3950 100644
--- a/spa/plugins/libcamera/libcamera_wrapper.cpp
+++ b/spa/plugins/libcamera/libcamera_wrapper.cpp
@@ -781,6 +781,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 		ret = cm->start();
 		if (ret) {
+			deleteLibCamera(camera);
 			return nullptr;
 		}