diff --git a/kernel/workqueue.c b/kernel/workqueue.c
index 02319b84ef68..649687622654 100644
--- a/kernel/workqueue.c
+++ b/kernel/workqueue.c
@@ -4351,6 +4351,7 @@ void destroy_workqueue(struct workqueue_struct *wq)
 
 		/* rescuer will empty maydays list before exiting */
 		kthread_stop(rescuer->task);
+		kfree(rescuer);
 	}
 
 	/* sanity checks */