diff --git a/src/mnode/src/mnodeShow.c b/src/mnode/src/mnodeShow.c
index 655fe71259..d759352f71 100644
--- a/src/mnode/src/mnodeShow.c
+++ b/src/mnode/src/mnodeShow.c
@@ -239,6 +239,7 @@ static int32_t mnodeProcessHeartBeatMsg(SMnodeMsg *pMsg) {
 
   SCMHeartBeatMsg *pHBMsg = pMsg->rpcMsg.pCont;
   if (taosCheckVersion(pHBMsg->clientVer, version, 3) != TSDB_CODE_SUCCESS) {
+    rpcFreeCont(pRsp);
     return TSDB_CODE_TSC_INVALID_VERSION;  // todo change the error code
   }