diff --git a/examples/common.cpp b/examples/common.cpp
index fad9a7c2..2c0cdf08 100644
--- a/examples/common.cpp
+++ b/examples/common.cpp
@@ -676,21 +676,25 @@ bool read_wav(const std::string & fname, std::vector<float>& pcmf32, std::vector
 
     if (wav.channels != 1 && wav.channels != 2) {
         fprintf(stderr, "%s: WAV file '%s' must be mono or stereo\n", __func__, fname.c_str());
+        drwav_uninit(&wav);
         return false;
     }
 
     if (stereo && wav.channels != 2) {
         fprintf(stderr, "%s: WAV file '%s' must be stereo for diarization\n", __func__, fname.c_str());
+        drwav_uninit(&wav);
         return false;
     }
 
     if (wav.sampleRate != COMMON_SAMPLE_RATE) {
         fprintf(stderr, "%s: WAV file '%s' must be %i kHz\n", __func__, fname.c_str(), COMMON_SAMPLE_RATE/1000);
+        drwav_uninit(&wav);
         return false;
     }
 
     if (wav.bitsPerSample != 16) {
         fprintf(stderr, "%s: WAV file '%s' must be 16-bit\n", __func__, fname.c_str());
+        drwav_uninit(&wav);
         return false;
     }