diff --git a/src/finalize.cpp b/src/finalize.cpp
index 084ed24b83..7e58ba2fe3 100644
--- a/src/finalize.cpp
+++ b/src/finalize.cpp
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ int openmc_finalize()
 #endif
 
 #ifdef LIBMESH
-std::unique_ptr<libMesh::LibMeshInit> LMI;
+  settings::LMI.release();
 #endif
 
   return 0;