diff --git a/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.cpp b/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.cpp
index 33dc4394f..49d418c0d 100644
--- a/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.cpp
+++ b/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.cpp
@@ -28,13 +28,15 @@ namespace llarp
   };
 
   InboundMessageParser::InboundMessageParser(AbstractRouter* _router)
-      : router(_router), from(nullptr), msg(nullptr), holder(new msg_holder_t())
+      : router(_router)
+      , from(nullptr)
+      , msg(nullptr)
+      , holder(std::make_unique< msg_holder_t >())
   {
   }
 
   InboundMessageParser::~InboundMessageParser()
   {
-    delete holder;
   }
 
   bool
diff --git a/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.hpp b/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.hpp
index 4d23a9f01..01fcf23d0 100644
--- a/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.hpp
+++ b/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.hpp
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ namespace llarp
     ILinkMessage* msg;
 
     struct msg_holder_t;
-    msg_holder_t* holder;
+
+    std::unique_ptr< msg_holder_t > holder;
   };
 }  // namespace llarp
 #endif