diff --git a/include/hyperion/Hyperion.h b/include/hyperion/Hyperion.h
index 7cf89afb..c2ba3992 100644
--- a/include/hyperion/Hyperion.h
+++ b/include/hyperion/Hyperion.h
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ public:
 	///
 	~Hyperion();
 
+	///
+	/// free all alocated objects, should be called only from constructor or before restarting hyperion
+	///
+	void freeObjects();
 
 	static Hyperion* initInstance(const Json::Value& jsonConfig, const QJsonObject& qjsonConfig, const std::string configFile);
 	static Hyperion* getInstance();
diff --git a/libsrc/hyperion/Hyperion.cpp b/libsrc/hyperion/Hyperion.cpp
index 9cda1b95..f82c3f24 100644
--- a/libsrc/hyperion/Hyperion.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/hyperion/Hyperion.cpp
@@ -594,7 +594,7 @@ Hyperion::Hyperion(const Json::Value &jsonConfig, const QJsonObject &qjsonConfig
 }
 
 
-Hyperion::~Hyperion()
+void Hyperion::freeObjects()
 {
 	// switch off all leds
 	clearall();
@@ -608,6 +608,11 @@ Hyperion::~Hyperion()
 	delete _messageForwarder;
 }
 
+Hyperion::~Hyperion()
+{
+	freeObjects();
+}
+
 unsigned Hyperion::getLedCount() const
 {
 	return _ledString.leds().size();
diff --git a/libsrc/jsonserver/JsonClientConnection.cpp b/libsrc/jsonserver/JsonClientConnection.cpp
index 85a6af95..676f8e29 100644
--- a/libsrc/jsonserver/JsonClientConnection.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/jsonserver/JsonClientConnection.cpp
@@ -903,6 +903,7 @@ void JsonClientConnection::handleConfigCommand(const QJsonObject& message, const
 	} 
 	else if (subcommand == "reload")
 	{
+		_hyperion->freeObjects();
 		Process::restartHyperion();
 		sendErrorReply("failed to restart hyperion", full_command, tan);
 	}