diff --git a/src/common/compat_libevent.c b/src/common/compat_libevent.c
index 10489bf296..b5e9cc9332 100644
--- a/src/common/compat_libevent.c
+++ b/src/common/compat_libevent.c
@@ -237,6 +237,16 @@ tor_init_libevent_rng(void)
   return rv;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Un-initialize libevent in preparation for an exit
+ */
+void
+tor_libevent_free_all(void)
+{
+  event_base_free(the_event_base);
+  the_event_base = NULL;
+}
+
 #if defined(LIBEVENT_VERSION_NUMBER) &&         \
   LIBEVENT_VERSION_NUMBER >= V(2,1,1) &&        \
   !defined(TOR_UNIT_TESTS)
diff --git a/src/common/compat_libevent.h b/src/common/compat_libevent.h
index 0cdb73fbb9..1853e50917 100644
--- a/src/common/compat_libevent.h
+++ b/src/common/compat_libevent.h
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ const char *tor_libevent_get_method(void);
 void tor_check_libevent_header_compatibility(void);
 const char *tor_libevent_get_version_str(void);
 const char *tor_libevent_get_header_version_str(void);
+void tor_libevent_free_all(void);
 
 int tor_init_libevent_rng(void);
 
diff --git a/src/or/main.c b/src/or/main.c
index aae98dd8ab..bebe9fff44 100644
--- a/src/or/main.c
+++ b/src/or/main.c
@@ -3388,6 +3388,7 @@ tor_free_all(int postfork)
   if (!postfork) {
     release_lockfile();
   }
+  tor_libevent_free_all();
   /* Stuff in util.c and address.c*/
   if (!postfork) {
     escaped(NULL);