diff --git a/src/app/main/main.c b/src/app/main/main.c
index ab66105116..eeb219f3dc 100644
--- a/src/app/main/main.c
+++ b/src/app/main/main.c
@@ -803,10 +803,6 @@ tor_free_all(int postfork)
 
   tor_mainloop_free_all();
 
-#ifdef HAVE_SYSTEMD_209
-  periodic_timer_free(systemd_watchdog_timer);
-#endif
-
   if (!postfork) {
     release_lockfile();
   }