diff --git a/darwin/newcontrol.m b/darwin/newcontrol.m
index 029cab58..71146ac2 100644
--- a/darwin/newcontrol.m
+++ b/darwin/newcontrol.m
@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@ static void singleDestroy(uiControl *c)
 
 	if (s->parent != NULL)
 		complain("attempt to destroy a uiControl at %p while it still has a parent", c);
-	[s->immediate retain];		// to keep alive when removing
 	(*(s->onDestroy))(s->onDestroyData);
+	// release the reference we took on creation to destroy the widget
 	[s->immediate release];
+	uiFree(s);
 }
 
 static uintptr_t singleHandle(uiControl *c)
@@ -31,7 +32,6 @@ static uintptr_t singleHandle(uiControl *c)
 	return (uintptr_t) (s->view);
 }
 
-// TODO update refcounting here and in the GTK+ port
 static void singleSetParent(uiControl *c, uiContainer *parent)
 {
 	singleView *s = (singleView *) (c->Internal);
diff --git a/unix/newcontrol.c b/unix/newcontrol.c
index 82497be3..89e2930d 100644
--- a/unix/newcontrol.c
+++ b/unix/newcontrol.c
@@ -150,15 +150,7 @@ void uiUnixNewControl(uiControl *c, GType type, gboolean inScrolledWindow, gbool
 	}
 
 	// we need to keep an extra reference on the immediate widget
-	// this is so uiControlDestroy() can work regardless of when it is called and who calls it
-	// without this:
-	// - end user call works (only one ref)
-	// - call in uiContainer destructor fails (uiContainer ref freed)
-	// with this:
-	// - end user call works (shoudn't be in any container)
-	// - call in uiContainer works (both refs freed)
-	// this also ensures singleRemoveParent() works properly
-	// TODO double-check this for new parenting rules
+	// this is so we can reparent the control freely
 	g_object_ref_sink(s->immediate);
 
 	s->onDestroy = onDestroy;