diff --git a/plugins/win-dshow/virtualcam-module/virtualcam-filter.cpp b/plugins/win-dshow/virtualcam-module/virtualcam-filter.cpp
index 618d260fc..96c6b51cd 100644
--- a/plugins/win-dshow/virtualcam-module/virtualcam-filter.cpp
+++ b/plugins/win-dshow/virtualcam-module/virtualcam-filter.cpp
@@ -210,6 +210,11 @@ void VCamFilter::Thread()
 	/* ---------------------------------------- */
 	/* load placeholder image                   */
 
+	if (placeholder.scaled_data) {
+		free(placeholder.scaled_data);
+		placeholder.scaled_data = nullptr;
+	}
+
 	if (initialize_placeholder()) {
 		placeholder.source_data = get_placeholder_ptr();
 		get_placeholder_size(&placeholder.cx, &placeholder.cy);