diff --git a/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/Felix.java b/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/Felix.java
index 2176fc6..b0d5d26 100644
--- a/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/Felix.java
+++ b/framework/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/framework/Felix.java
@@ -1145,6 +1145,9 @@
                 // Always release bundle lock.
                 releaseBundleLock(impl);
             }
+            // Hint to GC to collect bundle; not sure why this
+            // is necessary, but it appears to help.
+            bundles[i] = null;
         }
 
         if (m_systemBundleInfo.getState() == Bundle.ACTIVE)
@@ -4420,4 +4423,4 @@
             m_bundleLock.notifyAll();
         }
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}