diff --git a/js/serial_backend.js b/js/serial_backend.js
index 3905e33bcd..2bd9be2979 100644
--- a/js/serial_backend.js
+++ b/js/serial_backend.js
@@ -48,6 +48,11 @@ $(document).ready(function() {
 
                     sensor_status(sensors_detected = 0); // reset active sensor indicators
                     $('#tabs > ul li').removeClass('active'); // de-select any selected tabs
+
+                    // detach listeners and remove element data
+                    $('#content').empty();
+
+                    // load default html
                     tab_initialize_default();
                 }
 
diff --git a/main.js b/main.js
index 14b4263e23..8ac0abdcd7 100644
--- a/main.js
+++ b/main.js
@@ -69,6 +69,9 @@ $(document).ready(function() {
                 // Highlight selected tab
                 $(self).parent().addClass('active');
 
+                // detach listeners and remove element data
+                $('#content').empty();
+
                 switch (tab) {
                     case 'tab_initial_setup':
                         tab_initialize_initial_setup();