diff --git a/src/preferences/backgrounds/ImageFilePanel.cpp b/src/preferences/backgrounds/ImageFilePanel.cpp
index 194ae12e46..8861ee8dea 100644
--- a/src/preferences/backgrounds/ImageFilePanel.cpp
+++ b/src/preferences/backgrounds/ImageFilePanel.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,13 @@ ImageFilePanel::ImageFilePanel(file_panel_mode mode, BMessenger *target,
 }
 
 
+ImageFilePanel::~ImageFilePanel()
+{
+	if (RefFilter())
+		delete RefFilter();
+}
+
+
 void
 ImageFilePanel::Show()
 {
diff --git a/src/preferences/backgrounds/ImageFilePanel.h b/src/preferences/backgrounds/ImageFilePanel.h
index 8c98ef1fa2..f0c0eff8c9 100644
--- a/src/preferences/backgrounds/ImageFilePanel.h
+++ b/src/preferences/backgrounds/ImageFilePanel.h
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ class ImageFilePanel : public BFilePanel {
 			uint32 nodeFlavors = 0, bool allowMultipleSelection = true,
 			BMessage* message = NULL, BRefFilter* filter = NULL,
 			bool modal = false, bool hideWhenDone = true);
+		~ImageFilePanel();
 
 		virtual void SelectionChanged();