diff --git a/src/ops.c b/src/ops.c
index ea5e20b..82107cc 100644
--- a/src/ops.c
+++ b/src/ops.c
@@ -927,8 +927,8 @@
     int		name;
     int		copy;	/* make a copy, if FALSE make register empty. */
 {
-    static struct yankreg	*reg;
-    int				i;
+    struct yankreg	*reg;
+    int			i;
 
 #ifdef FEAT_CLIPBOARD
     /* When Visual area changed, may have to update selection.  Obtain the
@@ -967,7 +967,7 @@
 }
 
 /*
- * Put "reg" into register "name".  Free any previous contents.
+ * Put "reg" into register "name".  Free any previous contents and "reg".
  */
     void
 put_register(name, reg)
@@ -977,6 +977,7 @@
     get_yank_register(name, 0);
     free_yank_all();
     *y_current = *(struct yankreg *)reg;
+    vim_free(reg);
 
 # ifdef FEAT_CLIPBOARD
     /* Send text written to clipboard register to the clipboard. */