diff --git a/src/cpp/security/authentication/PKIDH.cpp b/src/cpp/security/authentication/PKIDH.cpp
index 269bc3cb930..ce3eacb3631 100644
--- a/src/cpp/security/authentication/PKIDH.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/security/authentication/PKIDH.cpp
@@ -1735,6 +1735,7 @@ ValidationResult_t PKIDH::begin_handshake_reply(
         {
             exception = _SecurityException_("Cannot find permissions file in permissions credential token");
             EMERGENCY_SECURITY_LOGGING("PKIDH", exception.what());
+            delete handshake_handle_aux;
             return ValidationResult_t::VALIDATION_FAILED;
         }
     }