diff --git a/src/apprt/gtk/Surface.zig b/src/apprt/gtk/Surface.zig
index e13871050..848dd02a5 100644
--- a/src/apprt/gtk/Surface.zig
+++ b/src/apprt/gtk/Surface.zig
@@ -387,6 +387,12 @@ pub fn deinit(self: *Surface) void {
     if (self.cursor) |cursor| c.g_object_unref(cursor);
 }
 
+// shutdown removes the long-held reference to the gl_area and kicks off the
+// deinit/destroy process for this surface.
+pub fn shutdown(self: *Surface) void {
+    c.g_object_unref(self.gl_area);
+}
+
 // TODO: move this
 /// Change the container for the surface to `container`.
 pub fn setContainer(self: *Surface, container: Container) void {
diff --git a/src/apprt/gtk/Tab.zig b/src/apprt/gtk/Tab.zig
index 1a0d52a13..d1d33893a 100644
--- a/src/apprt/gtk/Tab.zig
+++ b/src/apprt/gtk/Tab.zig
@@ -151,7 +151,8 @@ pub fn init(self: *Tab, window: *Window, parent_: ?*CoreSurface) !void {
 /// Deinits tab by deiniting child if child is Paned.
 pub fn deinit(self: *Tab) void {
     switch (self.child) {
-        .none, .surface => return,
+        .none => return,
+        .surface => |s| s.shutdown(),
         .paned => |paned| {
             paned.deinit(self.window.app.core_app.alloc);
             self.window.app.core_app.alloc.destroy(paned);