diff --git a/lang/python/helpers.c b/lang/python/helpers.c
index 0033ef02..810423d0 100644
--- a/lang/python/helpers.c
+++ b/lang/python/helpers.c
@@ -122,6 +122,7 @@ static void pygpgme_stash_callback_exception(PyObject *weak_self)
     }
   else
     PyObject_SetAttrString(self, EXCINFO, excinfo);
+  Py_DECREF(excinfo);
 }
 
 PyObject *pygpgme_raise_callback_exception(PyObject *self)