diff --git a/src/battle_anim.c b/src/battle_anim.c
index cf1f32ed85..0e17819213 100644
--- a/src/battle_anim.c
+++ b/src/battle_anim.c
@@ -1575,9 +1575,9 @@ void LoadMoveBg(u16 bgId)
         void *decompressionBuffer = malloc_and_decompress(gBattleAnimBackgroundTable[bgId].tilemap, NULL);
         RelocateBattleBgPal(GetBattleBgPaletteNum(), decompressionBuffer, 0x100, FALSE);
         DmaCopy32(3, decompressionBuffer, (void *)BG_SCREEN_ADDR(26), 0x800);
+        Free(decompressionBuffer);
         DecompressDataWithHeaderVram(gBattleAnimBackgroundTable[bgId].image, (void *)BG_SCREEN_ADDR(4));
         LoadPalette(gBattleAnimBackgroundTable[bgId].palette, BG_PLTT_ID(GetBattleBgPaletteNum()), PLTT_SIZE_4BPP);
-        Free(decompressionBuffer);
     }
     else
     {