diff --git a/src/Spell.py b/src/Spell.py
index 2cd3cbc9b..374bfccc6 100644
--- a/src/Spell.py
+++ b/src/Spell.py
@@ -246,6 +246,7 @@ class Spell:
         except RuntimeError:
             #This catches error with old gtkspell versions that generate
             #this exception if dict cannot be loaded.
+            gtkspell_spell.detach()
             self._active_language = 'off'
             
     # Public API