diff --git a/dbe/dbe.c b/dbe/dbe.c
index 8175a35..f864280 100644
--- a/dbe/dbe.c
+++ b/dbe/dbe.c
@@ -414,6 +414,7 @@ ProcDbeAllocateBackBufferName(ClientPtr client)
         /* The DDX buffer allocation routine failed for the first buffer of
          * this window.
          */
+        dixSetPrivate(&pWin->devPrivates, dbeWindowPrivKey, NULL);
         xfree(pDbeWindowPriv);
         return(status);
     }