diff --git a/whisper/whisperv6/whisper.go b/whisper/whisperv6/whisper.go
index a7787ca69f..d5e76d994c 100644
--- a/whisper/whisperv6/whisper.go
+++ b/whisper/whisperv6/whisper.go
@@ -894,6 +894,7 @@ func (whisper *Whisper) processQueue() {
 func (whisper *Whisper) update() {
 	// Start a ticker to check for expirations
 	expire := time.NewTicker(expirationCycle)
+	defer expire.Stop()
 
 	// Repeat updates until termination is requested
 	for {