diff --git a/src/lread.c b/src/lread.c
index e5e77bc..3e0bd1f 100644
--- a/src/lread.c
+++ b/src/lread.c
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ Return t if the file exists and loads successfully.  */)
 
   UNGCPRO;
 
-  free (saved_doc_string);
+  xfree (saved_doc_string);
   saved_doc_string = 0;
   saved_doc_string_size = 0;