diff --git a/src/qrtools.py b/src/qrtools.py
index ad7316c..9131399 100644
--- a/src/qrtools.py
+++ b/src/qrtools.py
@@ -175,8 +175,6 @@ def decode(self, filename=None):
             else:
                 for symbol in image:
                     pass
-                # clean up
-                del(image)
                 # Assuming data is encoded in utf8
                 self.data = symbol.data.decode(u'utf-8')
                 self.data_type = self.data_recognise()