diff --git a/builtin/clean.c b/builtin/clean.c
index 6030842f3a..4cf2399f59 100644
--- a/builtin/clean.c
+++ b/builtin/clean.c
@@ -1018,6 +1018,7 @@ int cmd_clean(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	for_each_string_list_item(item, &del_list) {
 		struct stat st;
 
+		strbuf_reset(&abs_path);
 		if (prefix)
 			strbuf_addstr(&abs_path, prefix);
 
@@ -1051,7 +1052,6 @@ int cmd_clean(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				printf(dry_run ? _(msg_would_remove) : _(msg_remove), qname);
 			}
 		}
-		strbuf_reset(&abs_path);
 	}
 
 	strbuf_release(&abs_path);