diff --git a/src/plots/plots.js b/src/plots/plots.js
index f83e424769b..e215df324bf 100644
--- a/src/plots/plots.js
+++ b/src/plots/plots.js
@@ -712,6 +712,9 @@ plots.purge = function(gd) {
     delete gd.numboxes;
     delete gd._hoverTimer;
     delete gd._lastHoverTime;
+
+    // remove all event listeners
+    if(gd.removeAllListeners) gd.removeAllListeners();
 };
 
 plots.style = function(gd) {