diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/appearance.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/appearance.dm
index 106c565a315..08b36da6fc0 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/appearance.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/appearance.dm
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@
 
 /mob/living/simple_mob/proc/remove_eyes()
 	cut_overlay(eye_layer)
+	qdel(eye_layer)
+	eye_layer = null
 
 /mob/living/simple_mob/gib()
 	..(icon_gib,1,icon) // we need to specify where the gib animation is stored