diff --git a/cpp/src/plasma/protocol.cc b/cpp/src/plasma/protocol.cc
index 246aa297360..026a1751719 100644
--- a/cpp/src/plasma/protocol.cc
+++ b/cpp/src/plasma/protocol.cc
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ Status ReadSealReply(uint8_t* data, ObjectID* object_id) {
 
 Status SendReleaseRequest(int sock, ObjectID object_id) {
   flatbuffers::FlatBufferBuilder fbb;
-  auto message = CreatePlasmaSealRequest(fbb, fbb.CreateString(object_id.binary()));
+  auto message = CreatePlasmaReleaseRequest(fbb, fbb.CreateString(object_id.binary()));
   return PlasmaSend(sock, MessageType_PlasmaReleaseRequest, &fbb, message);
 }