diff --git a/lib/krb5/init_creds_pw.c b/lib/krb5/init_creds_pw.c
index 945ba81aa..6f551454c 100644
--- a/lib/krb5/init_creds_pw.c
+++ b/lib/krb5/init_creds_pw.c
@@ -170,9 +170,7 @@ init_cred (krb5_context context,
 	ret = krb5_parse_name (context, in_tkt_service, &cred->server);
 	if (ret)
 	    goto out;
-	server_realm = strdup (client_realm);
-	free (*krb5_princ_realm(context, cred->server));
-	krb5_princ_set_realm (context, cred->server, &server_realm);
+	krb5_principal_set_realm (context, cred->server, client_realm);
     } else {
 	ret = krb5_make_principal(context, &cred->server, 
 				  client_realm, KRB5_TGS_NAME, client_realm,