diff --git a/kitty/gl.h b/kitty/gl.h
index e2ea6d0d5..f4518b3a5 100644
--- a/kitty/gl.h
+++ b/kitty/gl.h
@@ -90,6 +90,13 @@ static void
 update_viewport_size_impl(int w, int h) {
     glViewport(0, 0, w, h); check_gl();
 }
+
+static void
+free_texture_impl(GLuint *tex_id) {
+    glDeleteTextures(1, tex_id); check_gl();
+    *tex_id = 0;
+}
+
 // }}}
 
 // Programs {{{
diff --git a/kitty/graphics.c b/kitty/graphics.c
index 789e908d2..3f2021796 100644
--- a/kitty/graphics.c
+++ b/kitty/graphics.c
@@ -44,9 +44,11 @@ free_load_data(LoadData *ld) {
     ld->mapped_file = NULL; ld->mapped_file_sz = 0;
 }
 
+free_texture_func free_texture = NULL;
+
 static inline void
 free_image(Image *img) {
-    // TODO: free the texture if texture_id is not zero
+    if (img->texture_id) free_texture(&img->texture_id);
     free_load_data(&(img->load_data));
 }
 
diff --git a/kitty/shaders.c b/kitty/shaders.c
index a74bc3b89..e3d28b711 100644
--- a/kitty/shaders.c
+++ b/kitty/shaders.c
@@ -560,6 +560,7 @@ init_shaders(PyObject *module) {
     draw_borders = &draw_borders_impl;
     draw_cells = &draw_cells_impl;
     draw_cursor = &draw_cursor_impl;
+    free_texture = &free_texture_impl;
     return true;
 }
 // }}}
diff --git a/kitty/state.h b/kitty/state.h
index 94092d1cd..7f538ce47 100644
--- a/kitty/state.h
+++ b/kitty/state.h
@@ -101,3 +101,4 @@ EXTERNAL_FUNC0(draw_borders, void);
 EXTERNAL_FUNC(draw_cells, void, ssize_t, float, float, float, float, Screen *, CursorRenderInfo *);
 EXTERNAL_FUNC(draw_cursor, void, CursorRenderInfo *);
 EXTERNAL_FUNC(update_viewport_size, void, int, int);
+EXTERNAL_FUNC(free_texture, void, uint32_t*);