diff --git a/src/decode.c b/src/decode.c
index 82a3af832..7e3fadc04 100644
--- a/src/decode.c
+++ b/src/decode.c
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ _decode(ImagingDecoderObject *decoder, PyObject *args) {
         ImagingSectionLeave(&cookie);
     }
 
+    PyBuffer_Release(&buffer);
     return Py_BuildValue("ii", status, decoder->state.errcode);
 }