diff --git a/lib/hx509/ks_file.c b/lib/hx509/ks_file.c
index af86947b6..74808f760 100644
--- a/lib/hx509/ks_file.c
+++ b/lib/hx509/ks_file.c
@@ -456,8 +456,10 @@ file_init_common(hx509_context context,
 		    break;
 	    }
 	    rk_xfree(ptr);
-	    if (ret)
+	    if (ret) {
+		hx509_clear_error_string(context);
 		goto out;
+	    }
 	}
     }