diff --git a/modules/lua/mod_lua.c b/modules/lua/mod_lua.c
index ed1ca2384f..b9f48343e4 100644
--- a/modules/lua/mod_lua.c
+++ b/modules/lua/mod_lua.c
@@ -454,6 +454,7 @@ static int lua_map_handler(request_rec *r)
                 ap_lua_release_state(L, spec, r);
                 return rc;
             }
+            ap_lua_release_state(L, spec, r);
         }
     }
     return DECLINED;