diff --git a/src/image.zig b/src/image.zig
index e42bca7..0189882 100644
--- a/src/image.zig
+++ b/src/image.zig
@@ -376,6 +376,7 @@ pub const Image = struct {
         }
 
         var plugin = plugin_opt.?;
+        defer plugin.deinit();
 
         // the code here is a copypaste of runPlugin() without the specific
         // lilv things.