Question about env_flash variable in env/sf.c

[Patrick DELAUNAY]

Hi,
I am reading the code in env/sf.c file (to add the .erase opt
and support of "env erase" command), and I have a question about
the static variable env_flash.

Today it is a global flash pointer, initialized by the function 
setup_flash_device()
And it is called in all the functions before to use the SPI API

1/ env_sf_save()

2/ env_sf_load()

But this SPI resource is only released in env_sf_load() by:
spi_flash_free(env_flash);
env_flash = NULL;
I don't see any reason why it is not done also in env_sf_save(), after a 
"env save".
But perhaps I miss something...
I ask because if it is the case the variable env_flash could be local at
each env_sf function, as result of setup_flash_device.
Any idea ?
Regards
Patrick