diff --git a/src/manifest.c b/src/manifest.c
index 2cc5d265a..2b50c5651 100644
--- a/src/manifest.c
+++ b/src/manifest.c
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ static gboolean parse_image(GKeyFile *key_file, const gchar *group, RaucImage **
 static gboolean parse_manifest(GKeyFile *key_file, RaucManifest **manifest, GError **error)
 {
 	GError *ierror = NULL;
-	RaucManifest *raucm = g_new0(RaucManifest, 1);
+	g_autoptr(RaucManifest) raucm = NULL;
 	gboolean res = FALSE;
 	g_autofree gchar *tmp = NULL;
 	g_auto(GStrv) groups = NULL;
@@ -114,6 +114,8 @@ static gboolean parse_manifest(GKeyFile *key_file, RaucManifest **manifest, GErr
 
 	g_assert_null(*manifest);
 
+	raucm = g_new0(RaucManifest, 1);
+
 	/* parse [update] section */
 	raucm->update_compatible = key_file_consume_string(key_file, "update", "compatible", &ierror);
 	if (!raucm->update_compatible) {