diff --git a/src/half_edge_AS.c b/src/half_edge_AS.c
index 519226e..32dc5e6 100644
--- a/src/half_edge_AS.c
+++ b/src/half_edge_AS.c
@@ -208,8 +208,7 @@ static bool assemble_obj_arrays(char const * const obj_string,
 		str_tmp_ptr = strtok_r(NULL, "\n", &str_ptr_newline);
 	}
 
-	free(string);
-
+	/* set all out-variables */
 	*obj_v_out = obj_v;
 	*obj_vt_out = obj_vt;
 	obj_f->v = obj_f_v;
@@ -220,6 +219,9 @@ static bool assemble_obj_arrays(char const * const obj_string,
 	*ec_out = ec;
 	*vtc_out = vtc;
 
+	/* cleanup */
+	free(string);
+
 	return true;
 }