diff --git a/python/benchmarks/zarr-compressors.py b/python/benchmarks/zarr-compressors.py
index baa3c7d962..42d16c5116 100644
--- a/python/benchmarks/zarr-compressors.py
+++ b/python/benchmarks/zarr-compressors.py
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@ def run(args, compressor: Compressor):
     encode_time = clock() - t0
 
     t0 = clock()
-    compressor.codec.decode(a)
+    b = compressor.codec.decode(a)
     decode_time = clock() - t0
-
+    del b
     return encode_time, decode_time