diff --git a/lib/bdev/bdev.c b/lib/bdev/bdev.c
index 164ee4e30..ed55c164b 100644
--- a/lib/bdev/bdev.c
+++ b/lib/bdev/bdev.c
@@ -425,6 +425,18 @@ bdev_examine_allowlist_check(const char *name)
 	return false;
 }
 
+static inline void
+bdev_examine_allowlist_free(void)
+{
+	struct spdk_bdev_examine_item *item;
+	while (!TAILQ_EMPTY(&g_bdev_examine_allowlist)) {
+		item = TAILQ_FIRST(&g_bdev_examine_allowlist);
+		TAILQ_REMOVE(&g_bdev_examine_allowlist, item, link);
+		free(item->name);
+		free(item);
+	}
+}
+
 static inline bool
 bdev_in_examine_allowlist(struct spdk_bdev *bdev)
 {
@@ -1379,6 +1391,8 @@ bdev_mgr_unregister_cb(void *io_device)
 
 	spdk_free(g_bdev_mgr.zero_buffer);
 
+	bdev_examine_allowlist_free();
+
 	cb_fn(g_fini_cb_arg);
 	g_fini_cb_fn = NULL;
 	g_fini_cb_arg = NULL;