diff --git a/src/message.js b/src/message.js
index 7fee348c..8813cb0c 100644
--- a/src/message.js
+++ b/src/message.js
@@ -168,6 +168,8 @@ Message.prototype.encrypt = function(keys) {
   //TODO get preferred algo from signature
   symEncryptedPacket.encrypt(enums.read(enums.symmetric, config.encryption_cipher), sessionKey);
   packetlist.push(symEncryptedPacket);
+  // remove packets after encryption
+  symEncryptedPacket.packets = new packet.List();
   return new Message(packetlist);
 };