diff --git a/src/driver/loader/fortdl.c b/src/driver/loader/fortdl.c
index 7f56fcc7..c6b649b3 100644
--- a/src/driver/loader/fortdl.c
+++ b/src/driver/loader/fortdl.c
@@ -94,14 +94,14 @@ static NTSTATUS fort_loader_init(PUNICODE_STRING driverPath)
     DWORD payloadSize = 0;
     status = fort_image_payload(data, dataSize, &payload, &payloadSize);
 
-    /* Free the driver file's allocated data */
-    fort_mem_free(data, FORT_LOADER_POOL_TAG);
-
     /* Load the module driver */
     if (NT_SUCCESS(status)) {
         status = LoadModuleFromMemory(&g_loader.module, payload, payloadSize);
     }
 
+    /* Free the driver file's allocated data */
+    fort_mem_free(data, FORT_LOADER_POOL_TAG);
+
     if (!NT_SUCCESS(status)) {
         DbgPrintEx(DPFLTR_IHVNETWORK_ID, DPFLTR_ERROR_LEVEL,
                 "FORT: Loader Image Payload: Error: %x\n", status);