diff --git a/code/client/cl_ui.c b/code/client/cl_ui.c
index 38441647..19223a32 100644
--- a/code/client/cl_ui.c
+++ b/code/client/cl_ui.c
@@ -1119,6 +1119,10 @@ void CL_InitUI( void ) {
 		VM_Call( uivm, UI_INIT, (clc.state >= CA_AUTHORIZING && clc.state < CA_ACTIVE));
 	}
 	else if (v != UI_API_VERSION) {
+		// Free uivm now, so UI_SHUTDOWN doesn't get called later.
+		VM_Free( uivm );
+		uivm = NULL;
+
 		Com_Error( ERR_DROP, "User Interface is version %d, expected %d", v, UI_API_VERSION );
 		cls.uiStarted = qfalse;
 	}