diff --git a/bucket.go b/bucket.go
index 9bf30a2..9724893 100644
--- a/bucket.go
+++ b/bucket.go
@@ -26,11 +26,12 @@ func (b bucket[K, V]) get(key K) (value V, found bool) {
 	return slot.value, slot.occupied && b.compare(slot.key, key)
 }
 
-func (b bucket[K, V]) drop(key K) (occupied bool) {
+func (b *bucket[K, V]) drop(key K) (occupied bool) {
 	slot := &b.slots[b.location(key)]
 
 	if slot.occupied && b.compare(slot.key, key) {
 		slot.occupied = false
+		b.size--
 		return true
 	}