diff --git a/core/coreunix/add.go b/core/coreunix/add.go
index 1acdba22e3f..15b597d40b2 100644
--- a/core/coreunix/add.go
+++ b/core/coreunix/add.go
@@ -443,9 +443,10 @@ func (adder *Adder) addFile(file files.File) error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		if err := mr.Flush(); err != nil {
+		if err := mr.FlushMemFree(adder.ctx); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+
 		adder.liveNodes = 0
 	}
 	adder.liveNodes++
diff --git a/mfs/system.go b/mfs/system.go
index f0dd0995839..28875d3b38a 100644
--- a/mfs/system.go
+++ b/mfs/system.go
@@ -123,6 +123,36 @@ func (kr *Root) Flush() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// FlushMemFree flushes the root directory and then uncaches all of its links.
+// This has the effect of clearing out potentially stale references and allows
+// them to be garbage collected.
+// CAUTION: Take care not to ever call this while holding a reference to any
+// child directories. Those directories will be bad references and using them
+// may have unintended racy side effects.
+// A better implemented mfs system (one that does smarter internal caching and
+// refcounting) shouldnt need this method.
+func (kr *Root) FlushMemFree(ctx context.Context) error {
+	dir, ok := kr.GetValue().(*Directory)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid mfs structure, root should be a directory")
+	}
+
+	if err := dir.Flush(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	dir.lock.Lock()
+	defer dir.lock.Unlock()
+	for name := range dir.files {
+		delete(dir.files, name)
+	}
+	for name := range dir.childDirs {
+		delete(dir.childDirs, name)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // closeChild implements the childCloser interface, and signals to the publisher that
 // there are changes ready to be published
 func (kr *Root) closeChild(name string, nd node.Node, sync bool) error {