diff --git a/sha1_file.c b/sha1_file.c
index 8e299ae..e0d2496 100644
--- a/sha1_file.c
+++ b/sha1_file.c
@@ -818,11 +818,22 @@
 	return p;
 }
 
+static void try_to_free_pack_memory(size_t size)
+{
+	release_pack_memory(size, -1);
+}
+
 struct packed_git *add_packed_git(const char *path, int path_len, int local)
 {
+	static int have_set_try_to_free_routine;
 	struct stat st;
 	struct packed_git *p = alloc_packed_git(path_len + 2);
 
+	if (!have_set_try_to_free_routine) {
+		have_set_try_to_free_routine = 1;
+		set_try_to_free_routine(try_to_free_pack_memory);
+	}
+
 	/*
 	 * Make sure a corresponding .pack file exists and that
 	 * the index looks sane.