2 files changed, 12 insertions, 3 deletions

diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/pfm.c b/tools/perf/tests/pfm.c
index 76a53126efdf..d4b0ef74defc 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/pfm.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/pfm.c
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ static int test__pfm_group(void)
 		},
 		{
 			.events = "{},{instructions}",
-			.nr_events = 0,
-			.nr_groups = 0,
+			.nr_events = 1,
+			.nr_groups = 1,
 		},
 		{
 			.events = "{instructions},{instructions}",
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/pfm.c b/tools/perf/util/pfm.c
index d735acb6c29c..6eef6dfeaa57 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/pfm.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/pfm.c
@@ -62,8 +62,16 @@ int parse_libpfm_events_option(const struct option *opt, const char *str,
 		}
 
 		/* no event */
-		if (*q == '\0')
+		if (*q == '\0') {
+			if (*sep == '}') {
+				if (grp_evt < 0) {
+					ui__error("cannot close a non-existing event group\n");
+					goto error;
+				}
+				grp_evt--;
+			}
 			continue;
+		}
 
 		memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 		event_attr_init(&attr);
@@ -107,6 +115,7 @@ int parse_libpfm_events_option(const struct option *opt, const char *str,
 			grp_evt = -1;
 		}
 	}
+	free(p_orig);
 	return 0;
 error:
 	free(p_orig);