diff --git a/fast-import.c b/fast-import.c
index 6c37b8400a..fff285cd0f 100644
--- a/fast-import.c
+++ b/fast-import.c
@@ -2987,6 +2987,8 @@ static void parse_ls(struct branch *b)
 		store_tree(&leaf);
 
 	print_ls(leaf.versions[1].mode, leaf.versions[1].sha1, p);
+	if (leaf.tree)
+		release_tree_content_recursive(leaf.tree);
 	if (!b || root != &b->branch_tree)
 		release_tree_entry(root);
 }