diff --git a/Source/Modules/matlab.cxx b/Source/Modules/matlab.cxx
index aeae29ceaaf..fc2aa9f8c10 100644
--- a/Source/Modules/matlab.cxx
+++ b/Source/Modules/matlab.cxx
@@ -867,7 +867,7 @@ int MATLAB::destructorHandler(Node *n) {
     Printf(f_wrap_m,"function delete(self)\n");
     String *symname = Getattr(n, "sym:name");
     String *fullname = Swig_name_destroy(NSPACE_TODO, symname);
-    Printf(f_wrap_m,"%s('%s',self.swigCPtr)\n",mex_fcn,fullname);
+    Printf(f_wrap_m,"self.swigCPtr = %s('%s',self.swigCPtr)\n",mex_fcn,fullname);
     Printf(f_wrap_m,"end\n");
 
     // Add to function switch