diff --git a/RELEASE_NOTES.rst b/RELEASE_NOTES.rst
index d1f88b15f..7b9899d71 100644
--- a/RELEASE_NOTES.rst
+++ b/RELEASE_NOTES.rst
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@ Highlights:
 * Core device: ``panic_reset 1`` now correctly resets the kernel CPU as well if
   communication CPU panic occurs.
 * NumberValue accepts a ``type`` parameter specifying the output as ``int`` or ``float``
-* In kernels, lifetime of allocated values (e.g. lists) is now correctly tracked across
-  function calls (see #1497, #1394). Previous versions (since ARTIQ 1.0) would accept
-  illegal code that would result in silent memory corruption at runtime.
 
 Breaking changes:
 
diff --git a/artiq/compiler/validators/escape.py b/artiq/compiler/validators/escape.py
index 5aae58e51..000c3ee5b 100644
--- a/artiq/compiler/validators/escape.py
+++ b/artiq/compiler/validators/escape.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class RegionOf(algorithm.Visitor):
             # The cache is borrow checked dynamically
             return Global()
         else:
-            return self.visit_sometimes_allocating(node)
+            self.visit_sometimes_allocating(node)
 
     # Value lives as long as the object/container, if it's mutable,
     # or else forever
diff --git a/artiq/test/lit/escape/error_call.py b/artiq/test/lit/escape/error_call.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 8bbc7992f..000000000
--- a/artiq/test/lit/escape/error_call.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-# RUN: %python -m artiq.compiler.testbench.embedding +diag %s 2>%t
-# RUN: OutputCheck %s --file-to-check=%t
-
-from artiq.experiment import *
-
-@kernel
-def leak(a):
-    return a
-
-@kernel
-def entrypoint():
-    # CHECK-L: ${LINE:+2}: error: cannot return an allocated value that does not live forever
-    # CHECK-L: ${LINE:+1}: note: ... to this point
-    return leak([1, 2, 3])