A phase locked loop design uses a diode operatively connected to a loop filter capacitor to control a leakage current of the loop filter capacitor. By positioning a diode in series with the loop filter capacitor, a voltage potential across the loop filter capacitor is reduced, thereby reducing the leakage current of the loop filter capacitor. Moreover, the leakage current of the loop filter capacitor is controlled in that it cannot exceed the current through the diode. Control and reduction of the loop filter capacitor leakage current leads to more reliable and stable phase locked loop behavior.