diff --git a/src/matrix/SessionContainer.js b/src/matrix/SessionContainer.js
index 9794e93a..6b194c9b 100644
--- a/src/matrix/SessionContainer.js
+++ b/src/matrix/SessionContainer.js
@@ -189,6 +189,8 @@ export class SessionContainer {
                 log.set("status", this._status.get());
             } catch (err) {
                 log.catch(err);
+                // free olm Account that might be contained
+                dehydratedDevice?.dispose();
                 this._error = err;
                 this._status.set(LoadStatus.Error);
             }
diff --git a/src/matrix/e2ee/Dehydration.js b/src/matrix/e2ee/Dehydration.js
index 4fa75d81..22d6082b 100644
--- a/src/matrix/e2ee/Dehydration.js
+++ b/src/matrix/e2ee/Dehydration.js
@@ -90,11 +90,16 @@ class DehydratedDevice {
     // make it clear that ownership is transfered upon calling this
     adoptUnpickledOlmAccount() {
         const account = this._account;
-        this._account = null;
+        this._account = undefined;
         return account;
     }
 
     get deviceId() {
         return this._dehydratedDevice.device_id;
     }
+
+    dispose() {
+        this._account?.free();
+        this._account = undefined;
+    }
 }