diff --git a/RSA.pm b/RSA.pm
index 420e36a..f7131a4 100644
--- a/RSA.pm
+++ b/RSA.pm
@@ -377,10 +377,6 @@ Return true if this is a private key, and false if it is public only.
 
 =back
 
-=head1 BUGS
-
-There is a small memory leak when generating new keys of more than 512 bits.
-
 =head1 AUTHOR
 
 Ian Robertson, C<iroberts@cpan.org>.  For support, please email
diff --git a/RSA.xs b/RSA.xs
index a3a6034..b2c03f9 100644
--- a/RSA.xs
+++ b/RSA.xs
@@ -511,6 +511,7 @@ generate_key(proto, bitsSV, exponent = 65537)
     BN_set_word(e, exponent);
 #if OPENSSL_VERSION_NUMBER < 0x00908000L
     rsa = RSA_generate_key(SvIV(bitsSV), exponent, NULL, NULL);
+    BN_free(e);
     CHECK_OPEN_SSL(rsa != NULL);
 #endif
 #if OPENSSL_VERSION_NUMBER >= 0x00908000L && OPENSSL_VERSION_NUMBER < 0x30000000L