A tropical fruit notorious for its unique stench has led to the evacuation of a university library in Melbourne's CBD.

Traffic was disrupted around RMIT University yesterday as around 600 staff and students cleared the building amid fears of a gas leak.

Specialist crews wearing masks searched the building for the source of the smell, which turned out to be rotting durian left in a cupboard.

A Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman said the smell had alarmed staff and students as it permeated the air-conditioning system.

Durian is a tropical fruit known for its strong smell. (Getty) (Getty)

The waste will be dealt with by Environment Protection Authority officers.

Durian is a tropical fruit known for its strong smell.

It is commonly banned from hotel rooms and public transport in southeast Asia.