diff --git a/paste.c b/paste.c
index 84cdecb0..608ac9c6 100644
--- a/paste.c
+++ b/paste.c
@@ -240,11 +240,8 @@ paste_rename(const char *oldname, const char *newname, char **cause)
 	}
 
 	pb_new = paste_get_name(newname);
-	if (pb_new != NULL) {
-		if (cause != NULL)
-			xasprintf(cause, "buffer %s already exists", newname);
-		return (-1);
-	}
+	if (pb_new != NULL)
+		paste_free(pb_new);
 
 	RB_REMOVE(paste_name_tree, &paste_by_name, pb);