diff --git a/examples/distributor/main.c b/examples/distributor/main.c
index 1b1029660e..5165ba6300 100644
--- a/examples/distributor/main.c
+++ b/examples/distributor/main.c
@@ -602,6 +602,7 @@ lcore_worker(struct lcore_params *p)
 		if (num > 0)
 			app_stats.worker_bursts[p->worker_id][num-1]++;
 	}
+	rte_distributor_return_pkt(d, id, buf, num);
 	if (power_lib_initialised)
 		rte_power_exit(rte_lcore_id());
 	rte_free(p);