diff --git a/llama_cpp/llama.py b/llama_cpp/llama.py
index e030b49..2865d27 100644
--- a/llama_cpp/llama.py
+++ b/llama_cpp/llama.py
@@ -1437,6 +1437,9 @@ class Llama:
             return self._convert_text_completion_to_chat(completion)
 
     def __del__(self):
+        if self.model is not None:
+            llama_cpp.llama_free_model(self.model)
+            self.model = None
         if self.ctx is not None:
             llama_cpp.llama_free(self.ctx)
             self.ctx = None