diff --git a/pymysqlreplication/binlogstream.py b/pymysqlreplication/binlogstream.py
index 519219a6..43da4f8b 100644
--- a/pymysqlreplication/binlogstream.py
+++ b/pymysqlreplication/binlogstream.py
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ def close(self):
             self._stream_connection.close()
             self.__connected_stream = False
         if self.__connected_ctl:
+            # break reference cycle between stream reader and underlying
+            # mysql connection object
+            self._ctl_connection._get_table_information = None
             self._ctl_connection.close()
             self.__connected_ctl = False