diff --git a/lib/asn1/gen_free.c b/lib/asn1/gen_free.c
index bfb88ea6e..f0d282038 100644
--- a/lib/asn1/gen_free.c
+++ b/lib/asn1/gen_free.c
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ generate_type_free (const Symbol *s)
     free_type ("data", s->type, preserve);
     while (decorate_type(s->gen_name, &deco, &more_deco)) {
         if (deco.heim_object) {
-            fprintf(codefile, "heim_retain((data)->%s);\n", deco.field_name);
+            fprintf(codefile, "heim_release((data)->%s);\n", deco.field_name);
             fprintf(codefile, "(data)->%s = 0;\n", deco.field_name);
         } else if (deco.ext && deco.free_function_name == NULL) {
             /* Decorated with field of external type but no free function */