diff --git a/src/core/service.c b/src/core/service.c
index 9fd58fab0..c616fbece 100644
--- a/src/core/service.c
+++ b/src/core/service.c
@@ -2575,6 +2575,9 @@ 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;
 }