diff --git a/libs/ardour/vst3_plugin.cc b/libs/ardour/vst3_plugin.cc
index 0e6c65b1e6..b874da002b 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/vst3_plugin.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/vst3_plugin.cc
@@ -2144,6 +2144,7 @@ VST3PI::close_view ()
 	}
 	_view->removed ();
 	_view->setFrame (0);
+	_view->release ();
 	_view = 0;
 }