diff --git a/src/core/service.c b/src/core/service.c
index 0b19767d9..2d8aa0144 100644
--- a/src/core/service.c
+++ b/src/core/service.c
@@ -1699,6 +1699,9 @@ static int service_start(Unit *u) {
         s->main_pid_alien = false;
         s->forbid_restart = false;
 
+        free(s->status_text);
+        s->status_text = NULL;
+
         service_enter_start_pre(s);
         return 0;
 }