diff --git a/numpy/f2py/cfuncs.py b/numpy/f2py/cfuncs.py
index 40496ccf10cd..974062f2617a 100644
--- a/numpy/f2py/cfuncs.py
+++ b/numpy/f2py/cfuncs.py
@@ -1023,6 +1023,7 @@
         }
         (*v).r = ((npy_cdouble *)PyArray_DATA(arr))->real;
         (*v).i = ((npy_cdouble *)PyArray_DATA(arr))->imag;
+        Py_DECREF(arr);
         return 1;
     }
     /* Python does not provide PyNumber_Complex function :-( */