diff --git a/src/protocol.js b/src/protocol.js
index 3608a82..f26a042 100644
--- a/src/protocol.js
+++ b/src/protocol.js
@@ -83,6 +83,8 @@ export const mergeMessages = messages => {
       )
     )
   }))
+  // release awareness after use to avoid memory leak
+  aw.destroy()
   return result
 }