diff --git a/modules/calib3d/src/rho.cpp b/modules/calib3d/src/rho.cpp
index b690f541c3..832b921c00 100644
--- a/modules/calib3d/src/rho.cpp
+++ b/modules/calib3d/src/rho.cpp
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ Ptr<RHO_HEST> rhoInit(void){
     /* Initialize it. */
     if(p){
         if(!p->initialize()){
-            p = Ptr<RHO_HEST>((RHO_HEST*)NULL);
+            p.release();
         }
     }