diff --git a/Lib/re.py b/Lib/re.py
--- a/Lib/re.py
+++ b/Lib/re.py
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@
 
 def compile(pattern, flags=0):
     "Compile a regular expression pattern, returning a pattern object."
-    return _compile(pattern, flags)
+    return _compile_typed_uncached(type(pattern), pattern, flags)
 
 def purge():
     "Clear the regular expression caches"
@@ -262,8 +262,7 @@
 def _compile(pattern, flags):
     return _compile_typed(type(pattern), pattern, flags)
 
-@functools.lru_cache(maxsize=500)
-def _compile_typed(text_bytes_type, pattern, flags):
+def _compile_typed_uncached(text_bytes_type, pattern, flags):
     # internal: compile pattern
     if isinstance(pattern, _pattern_type):
         if flags:
@@ -274,6 +273,8 @@
         raise TypeError("first argument must be string or compiled pattern")
     return sre_compile.compile(pattern, flags)
 
+_compile_typed = functools.lru_cache(maxsize=500)(_compile_typed_uncached)
+
 @functools.lru_cache(maxsize=500)
 def _compile_repl(repl, pattern):
     # internal: compile replacement pattern