diff --git a/src/conky.cc b/src/conky.cc
index 46de6502..a625442f 100644
--- a/src/conky.cc
+++ b/src/conky.cc
@@ -4163,12 +4163,11 @@ void set_current_config() {
 		FILE *fp;
 
 		/* Try to use personal config file first */
-		std::string *buf = new std::string(to_real_path(CONFIG_FILE));
-		if (!buf->empty() && (fp = fopen(buf->c_str(), "r"))) {
-			current_config = buf->c_str();
+		std::string buf = to_real_path(CONFIG_FILE);
+		if (!buf.empty() && (fp = fopen(buf.c_str(), "r"))) {
+			current_config = buf;
 			fclose(fp);
 		}
-		delete buf;
 
 		/* Try to use system config file if personal config not readable */
 		if (current_config.empty() && (fp = fopen(SYSTEM_CONFIG_FILE, "r"))) {