diff --git a/include/hyperion/Hyperion.h b/include/hyperion/Hyperion.h
index 4320a63d..26d6be9e 100644
--- a/include/hyperion/Hyperion.h
+++ b/include/hyperion/Hyperion.h
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public:
 	///
 	/// free all alocated objects, should be called only from constructor or before restarting hyperion
 	///
-	void freeObjects();
+	void freeObjects(bool emitCloseSignal=false);
 
 	static Hyperion* initInstance(const QJsonObject& qjsonConfig, const QString configFile);
 	static Hyperion* getInstance();
diff --git a/libsrc/hyperion/Hyperion.cpp b/libsrc/hyperion/Hyperion.cpp
index 53dc5291..70715cfb 100644
--- a/libsrc/hyperion/Hyperion.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/hyperion/Hyperion.cpp
@@ -447,9 +447,12 @@ Hyperion::Hyperion(const QJsonObject &qjsonConfig, const QString configFile)
 }
 
 
-void Hyperion::freeObjects()
+void Hyperion::freeObjects(bool emitCloseSignal)
 {
-	emit closing();
+	if (emitCloseSignal)
+	{
+		emit closing();
+	}
 
 	// switch off all leds
 	clearall();
@@ -464,7 +467,7 @@ void Hyperion::freeObjects()
 
 Hyperion::~Hyperion()
 {
-	freeObjects();
+	freeObjects(false);
 }
 
 unsigned Hyperion::getLedCount() const
diff --git a/libsrc/jsonserver/JsonClientConnection.cpp b/libsrc/jsonserver/JsonClientConnection.cpp
index e5ef87a8..4773eb11 100644
--- a/libsrc/jsonserver/JsonClientConnection.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/jsonserver/JsonClientConnection.cpp
@@ -930,7 +930,7 @@ void JsonClientConnection::handleConfigCommand(const QJsonObject& message, const
 	}
 	else if (subcommand == "reload")
 	{
-		_hyperion->freeObjects();
+		_hyperion->freeObjects(true);
 		Process::restartHyperion();
 		sendErrorReply("failed to restart hyperion", full_command, tan);
 	}