diff --git a/libntfs/dir.c b/libntfs/dir.c
index f54f79cb..e5a20e91 100644
--- a/libntfs/dir.c
+++ b/libntfs/dir.c
@@ -1376,10 +1376,12 @@ err_out:
 			ntfs_log_perror("Failed to open SD (0x50) attribute of "
 					" inode 0x%llx. Run chkdsk.\n",
 					(unsigned long long)ni->mft_no);
-		else if (ntfs_attr_rm(na))
+		else if (ntfs_attr_rm(na)) {
 			ntfs_log_perror("Failed to remove SD (0x50) attribute "
 					"of inode 0x%llx. Run chkdsk.\n",
 					(unsigned long long)ni->mft_no);
+			ntfs_attr_close(na);
+		}
 	}
 	if (rollback_data) {
 		ntfs_attr *na;