diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_partition.c b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_partition.c
index 04a2307ecafad..50ce146e9c577 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_partition.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_partition.c
@@ -769,6 +769,8 @@ int esp32s3_partition_init(void)
   encrypt = esp32s3_flash_encryption_enabled();
   for (i = 0; i < num; i++)
     {
+      char *name;
+
       if (info->magic != PARTITION_MAGIC)
         {
           break;
@@ -842,8 +844,8 @@ int esp32s3_partition_init(void)
       mtd_priv->mtd.ioctl  = esp32s3_part_ioctl;
       mtd_priv->mtd.read   = esp32s3_part_read;
       mtd_priv->mtd.write  = esp32s3_part_write;
-      mtd_priv->mtd.name   = strdup(label);
-      if (!mtd_priv->mtd.name)
+      mtd_priv->mtd.name   = name = strdup(label);
+      if (!name)
         {
           ferr("ERROR: Failed to allocate MTD name\n");
           kmm_free(mtd_priv);
@@ -857,7 +859,7 @@ int esp32s3_partition_init(void)
       if (!mtd_priv->part_mtd)
         {
           ferr("ERROR: Failed to create MTD partition\n");
-          lib_free(mtd_priv->mtd.name);
+          lib_free(name);
           kmm_free(mtd_priv);
           ret = -ENOSPC;
           goto errout_with_mtd;
@@ -867,7 +869,7 @@ int esp32s3_partition_init(void)
       if (ret < 0)
         {
           ferr("ERROR: Failed to register MTD @ %s\n", path);
-          lib_free(mtd_priv->mtd.name);
+          lib_free(name);
           kmm_free(mtd_priv);
           goto errout_with_mtd;
         }