--- a/src/misc2.c
+++ b/src/misc2.c
@@ -870,10 +870,13 @@ lalloc(size, message)
 	if (releasing)
 	    break;
 	releasing = TRUE;
-	try_again = mf_release_all();
+
+	clear_sb_text();	      /* free any scrollback text */
+	try_again = mf_release_all(); /* release as many blocks as possible */
 #ifdef FEAT_EVAL
-	try_again |= garbage_collect();
-#endif
+	try_again |= garbage_collect(); /* cleanup recursive lists/dicts */
+#endif
+
 	releasing = FALSE;
 	if (!try_again)
 	    break;