diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Control.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Control.js
index add043491b..467629a389 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Control.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Control.js
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ OpenLayers.Control.prototype = {
      */
     destroy: function () {
         // eliminate circular references
+        if (this.handler) {
+            this.handler.destroy();
+        }    
         this.map = null;
     },