diff --git a/backup/backup.php b/backup/backup.php
index 23742b2c465..7d3170d9684 100644
--- a/backup/backup.php
+++ b/backup/backup.php
@@ -100,4 +100,6 @@ if ($backup->enforce_changed_dependencies()) {
 }
 echo $renderer->progress_bar($backup->get_progress_bar());
 echo $backup->display();
+$backup->destroy();
+unset($backup);
 echo $OUTPUT->footer();
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backup/import.php b/backup/import.php
index 0cc71fb5bcb..6ba891171d1 100644
--- a/backup/import.php
+++ b/backup/import.php
@@ -90,6 +90,8 @@ if ($backup->get_stage() == backup_ui::STAGE_CONFIRMATION) {
 if ($backup->get_stage() == backup_ui::STAGE_FINAL) {
     // First execute the backup
     $backup->execute();
+    $backup->destroy();
+    unset($backup);
 
     // Check whether the backup directory still exists. If missing, something
     // went really wrong in backup, throw error. Note that backup::MODE_IMPORT
@@ -156,4 +158,6 @@ if ($backup->enforce_changed_dependencies()) {
 }
 echo $renderer->progress_bar($backup->get_progress_bar());
 echo $backup->display();
-echo $OUTPUT->footer();
+$backup->destroy();
+unset($backup);
+echo $OUTPUT->footer();
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backup/restore.php b/backup/restore.php
index 084ab1f05c6..6d49b640868 100644
--- a/backup/restore.php
+++ b/backup/restore.php
@@ -54,4 +54,6 @@ if (!$restore->is_independent() && $restore->enforce_changed_dependencies()) {
 }
 echo $renderer->progress_bar($restore->get_progress_bar());
 echo $restore->display($renderer);
+$restore->destroy();
+unset($restore);
 echo $OUTPUT->footer();
diff --git a/backup/util/ui/base_ui.class.php b/backup/util/ui/base_ui.class.php
index fce02a1da53..e15612030e4 100644
--- a/backup/util/ui/base_ui.class.php
+++ b/backup/util/ui/base_ui.class.php
@@ -72,6 +72,17 @@ abstract class base_ui {
         // Process UI event before to be safe
         $this->controller->process_ui_event();
     }
+    /**
+     * Destorys the backup controller and the loaded stage.
+     */
+    public function destroy() {
+
+        if ($this->controller) {
+            $this->controller->destroy();
+        }
+        unset($this->stage);
+
+    }
     /**
      * Intialises what ever stage is requested. If none are requested we check
      * params for 'stage' and default to initial