diff --git a/builtin/send-pack.c b/builtin/send-pack.c
index 3df9eaad09..17cae6bbbd 100644
--- a/builtin/send-pack.c
+++ b/builtin/send-pack.c
@@ -336,5 +336,7 @@ int cmd_send_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		/* stable plumbing output; do not modify or localize */
 		fprintf(stderr, "Everything up-to-date\n");
 
+	free_refs(remote_refs);
+	free_refs(local_refs);
 	return ret;
 }
diff --git a/send-pack.c b/send-pack.c
index 37f59d4f66..88e96d000b 100644
--- a/send-pack.c
+++ b/send-pack.c
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ static int receive_status(struct packet_reader *reader, struct ref *refs)
 			if (p)
 				hint->remote_status = xstrdup(p);
 			else
-				hint->remote_status = "failed";
+				hint->remote_status = xstrdup("failed");
 		} else {
 			hint->status = REF_STATUS_OK;
 			hint->remote_status = xstrdup_or_null(p);