diff --git a/src/core/download_list.cc b/src/core/download_list.cc
index b67f590a..47b57084 100644
--- a/src/core/download_list.cc
+++ b/src/core/download_list.cc
@@ -726,11 +726,10 @@ DownloadList::process_meta_download(Download* download) {
     return;
   }
 
-  torrent::Object* bencode = new torrent::Object(torrent::Object::create_map());
+  auto bencode = std::make_unique<torrent::Object>(torrent::Object::create_map());
   file >> bencode->insert_key("info", torrent::Object());
 
   if (file.fail()) {
-    delete bencode;
     lt_log_print(torrent::LOG_TORRENT_ERROR, "Could not create download, the input is not a valid torrent.");
     return;
   }
@@ -746,7 +745,7 @@ DownloadList::process_meta_download(Download* download) {
 
   erase_ptr(download);
 
-  control->core()->try_create_download_from_meta_download(bencode, metafile);
+  control->core()->try_create_download_from_meta_download(std::move(bencode), metafile);
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/core/manager.cc b/src/core/manager.cc
index 2e4d5f67..d88320a1 100644
--- a/src/core/manager.cc
+++ b/src/core/manager.cc
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ Manager::try_create_download(const std::string& uri, int flags, const command_li
 }
 
 void
-Manager::try_create_download_from_meta_download(torrent::Object* bencode, const std::string& metafile) {
+Manager::try_create_download_from_meta_download(std::unique_ptr<torrent::Object> bencode, const std::string& metafile) {
   DownloadFactory* f = new DownloadFactory(this);
 
   f->variables()["tied_to_file"] = (int64_t)true;
diff --git a/src/core/manager.h b/src/core/manager.h
index 1965f3f2..942c4088 100644
--- a/src/core/manager.h
+++ b/src/core/manager.h
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ public:
   // Temporary, find a better place for this.
   void                try_create_download(const std::string& uri, int flags, const command_list_type& commands);
   void                try_create_download_expand(const std::string& uri, int flags, command_list_type commands = command_list_type());
-  void                try_create_download_from_meta_download(torrent::Object* bencode, const std::string& metafile);
+  void                try_create_download_from_meta_download(std::unique_ptr<torrent::Object> bencode, const std::string& metafile);
 
 private:
   void                create_http(const std::string& uri);