diff --git a/lib/vtls/schannel.c b/lib/vtls/schannel.c
index 55a99b3b43..50b81f6725 100644
--- a/lib/vtls/schannel.c
+++ b/lib/vtls/schannel.c
@@ -581,6 +581,8 @@ schannel_acquire_credential_handle(struct Curl_cfilter *cf,
             " for %s",
             blob ? "(memory blob)" : data->set.ssl.primary.clientcert);
       curlx_unicodefree(cert_path);
+      if(fInCert)
+        curlx_fclose(fInCert);
       return CURLE_SSL_CERTPROBLEM;
     }