diff --git a/usr.bin/make/main.c b/usr.bin/make/main.c
index bcdbbf5e58bb..0028e157607f 100644
--- a/usr.bin/make/main.c
+++ b/usr.bin/make/main.c
@@ -865,9 +865,9 @@ main(argc, argv)
 			 */
 			Compat_Run(targs);
 		}
+		Lst_Destroy(targs, NOFREE);
 	}
 
-	Lst_Destroy(targs, NOFREE);
 	Lst_Destroy(variables, NOFREE);
 	Lst_Destroy(makefiles, NOFREE);
 	Lst_Destroy(create, (void (*)(void *)) free);