diff --git a/attr.c b/attr.c
index 96eda0ef0..303751f6c 100644
--- a/attr.c
+++ b/attr.c
@@ -301,6 +301,7 @@ static void free_attr_elem(struct attr_stack *e)
 		}
 		free(a);
 	}
+	free(e->attrs);
 	free(e);
 }
 
diff --git a/t/t2203-add-intent.sh b/t/t2203-add-intent.sh
index 58a329961..25435290a 100755
--- a/t/t2203-add-intent.sh
+++ b/t/t2203-add-intent.sh
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ test_expect_success 'cannot commit with i-t-a entry' '
 	echo frotz >nitfol &&
 	git add rezrov &&
 	git add -N nitfol &&
-	test_must_fail git commit
+	test_must_fail git commit -m initial
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'can commit with an unrelated i-t-a entry in index' '