diff --git a/DataStructures/Lists/SinglyLinkedList.java b/DataStructures/Lists/SinglyLinkedList.java
index 356d8e220..b4dae16f6 100644
--- a/DataStructures/Lists/SinglyLinkedList.java
+++ b/DataStructures/Lists/SinglyLinkedList.java
@@ -61,7 +61,9 @@ public class SinglyLinkedList {
             throw new RuntimeException("The list is empty!");
         }
 
+        Node destroy = head;
         head = head.next;
+        destroy = null;  // clear to let GC do its work
     }
 
     /**