diff --git a/source/dnode/mnode/impl/src/mndMain.c b/source/dnode/mnode/impl/src/mndMain.c
index 208d0205a5..4d91b17252 100644
--- a/source/dnode/mnode/impl/src/mndMain.c
+++ b/source/dnode/mnode/impl/src/mndMain.c
@@ -86,8 +86,7 @@ static void *mndBuildTimerMsg(int32_t *pContLen) {
   if (pReq == NULL) return NULL;
 
   if (tSerializeSMTimerMsg(pReq, contLen, &timerReq) < 0) {
-    rpcFreeCont(pReq);
-    return NULL;
+    mError("failed to serialize timer msg since %s", terrstr());
   }
   *pContLen = contLen;
   return pReq;