diff --git a/src/sugar/graphics/palette.py b/src/sugar/graphics/palette.py
index 5db0bd2a..f58e7acb 100644
--- a/src/sugar/graphics/palette.py
+++ b/src/sugar/graphics/palette.py
@@ -154,6 +154,8 @@ class Palette(PaletteWindow):
         self._update_separators()
 
     def __destroy_cb(self, palette):
+        self._secondary_anim.stop()
+        self.popdown(immediate=True)
         # Break the reference cycle. It looks like the gc is not able to free
         # it, possibly because gtk.Menu memory handling is very special.
         self.menu = None
diff --git a/src/sugar/graphics/palettewindow.py b/src/sugar/graphics/palettewindow.py
index b3392aff..57f1e00a 100644
--- a/src/sugar/graphics/palettewindow.py
+++ b/src/sugar/graphics/palettewindow.py
@@ -330,6 +330,7 @@ class PaletteWindow(gtk.Window):
         if not immediate:
             self._popdown_anim.start()
         else:
+            self._popdown_anim.stop()
             self.hide()
 
     def on_invoker_enter(self):