diff --git a/thtk/thdat02.c b/thtk/thdat02.c
index 8488d399..6dbda59a 100644
--- a/thtk/thdat02.c
+++ b/thtk/thdat02.c
@@ -141,13 +141,7 @@ th02_read(
         ret = thtk_io_write(output, data, entry->zsize, error);
         free(data);
     } else {
-        /* FIXME: ouch, an unnecessary copy, due to thtk_io_open_memory taking ownership */
-        void *data2 = malloc(entry->zsize);
-        if (!data2)
-            return -1;
-        memcpy(data2, data, entry->zsize);
-
-        thtk_io_t* data_stream = thtk_io_open_memory(data2, entry->zsize, error);
+        thtk_io_t* data_stream = thtk_io_open_memory(data, entry->zsize, error);
         if (!data_stream)
             return -1;
         ret = thtk_unrle(data_stream, entry->zsize, output, error);