diff --git a/src/nvim/fileio.c b/src/nvim/fileio.c
index 13329d771b..12206c1680 100644
--- a/src/nvim/fileio.c
+++ b/src/nvim/fileio.c
@@ -1882,6 +1882,7 @@ failed:
 
       xfree(keep_msg);
       keep_msg = NULL;
+      p = NULL;
       msg_scrolled_ign = TRUE;
 
       if (!read_stdin && !read_buffer) {