diff --git a/tools/perf/util/header.c b/tools/perf/util/header.c
index 21a77e7a171e8a..03ace57a800c58 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/header.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/header.c
@@ -1063,8 +1063,7 @@ read_event_desc(struct perf_header *ph, int fd)
 	free(buf);
 	return events;
 error:
-	if (events)
-		free_event_desc(events);
+	free_event_desc(events);
 	events = NULL;
 	goto out;
 }