The public tends to exaggerate the dangers of nuclear energy, mistakenly associating it with various environmental problems such as ozone depletion and the production of CO2. First, we investigate the acquisition of misconceptions about nuclear energy. In Experiments 1 (N = 198, United Kingdom) and 2 (N = 204, France), participants were more likely to develop new negative misconceptions about nuclear energy, compared to renewables or even some fossil fuels. Participants were also more likely to attribute the emission of hazardous substances produced by renewables to nuclear energy than to the energy sources actually emitting it. This suggests that specific misconceptions about nuclear energy are likely the by-products of negative perceptions of nuclear energy. Second, we ask whether correcting specific misconceptions leads to less negative attitudes about nuclear energy. In Experiments 3 (N = 296, United Kingdom.) and 4 (N = 305, France), participants were exposed to pronuclear energy arguments, one of which informed them of its low CO2 emissions. This argument led to a decrease in the perception that nuclear energy contributes to climate change. Thus, even if specific misconceptions about nuclear energy derive from overall negative perceptions, addressing these misconceptions can still help align public opinion with expert opinion. Public Significance Statement We show that people are more likely to develop novel negative misconceptions about nuclear energy than about other energy sources. However, one of the most salient of these misconceptions-that nuclear energy emits large amounts of CO2-can be corrected, which then mitigates the perception that nuclear energy contributes to climate change.