diff --git a/src/py_adaptors.h b/src/py_adaptors.h
index 912c93c8bf12..a9f96c341eb6 100644
--- a/src/py_adaptors.h
+++ b/src/py_adaptors.h
@@ -212,6 +212,7 @@ class PathGenerator
             return 0;
         }
 
+        Py_XDECREF(m_paths);
         m_paths = obj;
         Py_INCREF(m_paths);