diff --git a/src/bindings/python/flux/future.py b/src/bindings/python/flux/future.py
index 446a2d6b7519..c1158741a71f 100644
--- a/src/bindings/python/flux/future.py
+++ b/src/bindings/python/flux/future.py
@@ -115,6 +115,9 @@ def then(self, callback, arg=None, timeout=-1.0):
         # For example `f.rpc('topic').then(cb).wait_for(-1)
         return self
 
+    def destroy(self):
+        self.pimpl.destroy()
+
     def reset(self):
         self.pimpl.reset()
 
diff --git a/src/bindings/python/flux/job.py b/src/bindings/python/flux/job.py
index f3149b54e5d0..8c2a0bc3beb0 100644
--- a/src/bindings/python/flux/job.py
+++ b/src/bindings/python/flux/job.py
@@ -51,4 +51,6 @@ def submit_get_id(future):
 
 def submit(flux_handle, jobspec, priority=lib.FLUX_JOB_PRIORITY_DEFAULT, flags=0):
     future = submit_async(flux_handle, jobspec, priority, flags)
-    return submit_get_id(future)
+    jid = submit_get_id(future)
+    future.destroy()
+    return jid