diff --git a/src/library.cpp b/src/library.cpp
index f0bd7f7ca6..233bb3122c 100644
--- a/src/library.cpp
+++ b/src/library.cpp
@@ -285,7 +285,6 @@ void lammps_commands_string(void *ptr, char *str)
   BEGIN_CAPTURE
   {
     if (lmp->update->whichflag != 0) {
-      delete [] copy;
       lmp->error->all(FLERR,"Library error: issuing LAMMPS command during run");
     }