diff --git a/userspace/libsinsp/test/sinsp_with_test_input.h b/userspace/libsinsp/test/sinsp_with_test_input.h
index d69a6bf8e70..891653f770b 100644
--- a/userspace/libsinsp/test/sinsp_with_test_input.h
+++ b/userspace/libsinsp/test/sinsp_with_test_input.h
@@ -405,13 +405,24 @@ class sinsp_with_test_input : public ::testing::Test {
 		return field_exists(evt, field_name, m_default_filterlist);
 	}
 
-	bool field_exists(sinsp_evt *evt, const std::string& field_name, filter_check_list& flist)
+	bool field_exists(sinsp_evt* evt, const std::string& field_name, filter_check_list& flist)
 	{
-		if (evt == nullptr) {
+		if(evt == nullptr)
+		{
 			throw sinsp_exception("The event class is NULL");
 		}
 
-		return flist.new_filter_check_from_fldname(field_name, &m_inspector, false) != nullptr;
+		auto new_fl = flist.new_filter_check_from_fldname(field_name, &m_inspector, false);
+		if(new_fl != nullptr)
+		{
+			// if can create a filter check it means that the field exists
+			delete new_fl;
+			return true;
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Return true if `field_name` value is not NULL for this event.