diff --git a/luaa.c b/luaa.c
index 635db7670..8c718b7a3 100644
--- a/luaa.c
+++ b/luaa.c
@@ -782,6 +782,7 @@ luaA_loadrc(const char *confpath, bool run)
         const char *err = lua_tostring(L, -1);
         luaA_startup_error(err);
         fprintf(stderr, "%s\n", err);
+        lua_pop(L, 1);
         return false;
     }