diff --git a/src/util/virqemu.c b/src/util/virqemu.c
index ad27dd15f8..bc788538af 100644
--- a/src/util/virqemu.c
+++ b/src/util/virqemu.c
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ virQEMUBuildCommandLineJSONArrayBitmap(const char *key,
 {
     ssize_t pos = -1;
     ssize_t end;
-    virBitmapPtr bitmap = NULL;
+    VIR_AUTOPTR(virBitmap) bitmap = NULL;
 
     if (virJSONValueGetArrayAsBitmap(array, &bitmap) < 0)
         return -1;
@@ -73,8 +73,6 @@ virQEMUBuildCommandLineJSONArrayBitmap(const char *key,
         }
     }
 
-    virBitmapFree(bitmap);
-
     return 0;
 }