diff --git a/modules/videoio/src/cap_ffmpeg_impl.hpp b/modules/videoio/src/cap_ffmpeg_impl.hpp
index 47dc00ab04..43c555309b 100644
--- a/modules/videoio/src/cap_ffmpeg_impl.hpp
+++ b/modules/videoio/src/cap_ffmpeg_impl.hpp
@@ -1519,7 +1519,7 @@ bool CvCapture_FFMPEG::retrieveFrame(int flag, unsigned char** data, int* step,
 #if USE_AV_HW_CODECS
     if (sw_picture != picture)
     {
-        av_frame_unref(sw_picture);
+        av_frame_free(&sw_picture);
     }
 #endif
     return true;