diff --git a/src/stratifier.c b/src/stratifier.c
index 4a15716e..1aaeec78 100644
--- a/src/stratifier.c
+++ b/src/stratifier.c
@@ -3305,6 +3305,12 @@ static void parse_method(sdata_t *sdata, stratum_instance_t *client, const int64
 	return;
 }
 
+static void free_smsg(smsg_t *msg)
+{
+	json_decref(msg->json_msg);
+	free(msg);
+}
+
 /* Entered with client holding ref count */
 static void parse_instance_msg(sdata_t *sdata, smsg_t *msg, stratum_instance_t *client)
 {
@@ -3339,8 +3345,7 @@ static void parse_instance_msg(sdata_t *sdata, smsg_t *msg, stratum_instance_t *
 	}
 	parse_method(sdata, client, client_id, id_val, method, params, msg->address);
 out:
-	json_decref(val);
-	free(msg);
+	free_smsg(msg);
 }
 
 static void srecv_process(ckpool_t *ckp, char *buf)
@@ -3395,10 +3400,10 @@ static void srecv_process(ckpool_t *ckp, char *buf)
 	client = __instance_by_id(sdata, msg->client_id);
 	/* If client_id instance doesn't exist yet, create one */
 	if (unlikely(!client)) {
-		noid = true;
-		if (likely(!__dropped_instance(sdata, msg->client_id)))
+		if (likely(!__dropped_instance(sdata, msg->client_id))) {
+			noid = true;
 			client = __stratum_add_instance(ckp, msg->client_id, server);
-		else
+		} else
 			dropped = true;
 	} else if (unlikely(client->dropped))
 		dropped = true;
@@ -3406,15 +3411,15 @@ static void srecv_process(ckpool_t *ckp, char *buf)
 		__inc_instance_ref(client);
 	ck_wunlock(&sdata->instance_lock);
 
-	if (unlikely(noid)) {
-		if (unlikely(dropped)) {
-			/* Client may be NULL here */
-			LOGNOTICE("Stratifier skipped dropped instance %ld message server %d",
-				  msg->client_id, server);
-			goto out;
-		}
-		LOGINFO("Stratifier added instance %ld server %d", client->id, server);
+	if (unlikely(dropped)) {
+		/* Client may be NULL here */
+		LOGNOTICE("Stratifier skipped dropped instance %ld message server %d",
+				msg->client_id, server);
+		free_smsg(msg);
+		goto out;
 	}
+	if (unlikely(noid))
+		LOGINFO("Stratifier added instance %ld server %d", client->id, server);
 
 	parse_instance_msg(sdata, msg, client);
 	dec_instance_ref(sdata, client);