diff --git a/nodes.py b/nodes.py
index 8864fda60..0d3733dab 100644
--- a/nodes.py
+++ b/nodes.py
@@ -1721,6 +1721,8 @@ class LoadImage:
             output_image = output_images[0]
             output_mask = output_masks[0]
 
+        del img
+
         return (output_image, output_mask)
 
     @classmethod