diff --git a/libbpf-tools/trace_helpers.c b/libbpf-tools/trace_helpers.c
index 536ed8349d90..567d11e672a5 100644
--- a/libbpf-tools/trace_helpers.c
+++ b/libbpf-tools/trace_helpers.c
@@ -491,6 +491,20 @@ static void dso__free_fields(struct dso *dso)
 	free(dso->ranges);
 	free(dso->syms);
 	btf__free(dso->btf);
+
+	/* Clear relevant fields in dso to avoid dangling pointers. */
+	dso->name = NULL;
+	dso->ranges = NULL;
+	dso->range_sz = 0;
+	dso->syms = NULL;
+	dso->btf = NULL;
+
+	/* Zero out size/capacity to avoid stale bounds/alloc decisions. */
+	dso->syms_sz = 0;
+	dso->syms_cap = 0;
+	dso->type = UNKNOWN;
+	dso->sh_addr = 0;
+	dso->sh_offset = 0;
 }
 
 static int dso__load_sym_table_from_elf(struct dso *dso, int fd)