diff --git a/lib/ns/tests/notify_test.c b/lib/ns/tests/notify_test.c
index 3852a4682517aa8e169989aa468bc38a6436ff70..92b9d6f311199187d00c349d5721fa952b06812f 100644
--- a/lib/ns/tests/notify_test.c
+++ b/lib/ns/tests/notify_test.c
@@ -137,6 +137,9 @@ ATF_TC_BODY(notify_start, tc) {
 	 * handler.
 	 */
 	dns_view_attach(view, &client->view);
+	if (client->message != NULL) {
+		dns_message_destroy(&client->message);
+	}
 	client->message = nmsg;
 	nmsg = NULL;
 	client->sendcb = check_response;