};
 
 static const char * const builtin_merge_usage[] = {
-       N_("git merge [options] [<commit>...]"),
-       N_("git merge [options] <msg> HEAD <commit>"),
+       N_("git merge [<options>] [<commit>...]"),
+       N_("git merge [<options>] <msg> HEAD <commit>"),
        N_("git merge --abort"),
        NULL
 };
 
        append_conflicts_hint(&msgbuf);
        fputs(msgbuf.buf, fp);
+       strbuf_release(&msgbuf);
        fclose(fp);
        rerere(allow_rerere_auto);
        printf(_("Automatic merge failed; "