diff --git a/src/datepicker/datepicker.js b/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
index f8cdf1279f..05784947d0 100644
--- a/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
+++ b/src/datepicker/datepicker.js
@@ -605,6 +605,9 @@ function ($compile, $parse, $document, $position, dateFilter, dateParser, datepi
       };
 
       var $popup = $compile(popupEl)(scope);
+      // Prevent jQuery cache memory leak (template is now redundant after linking)
+      popupEl.remove();
+
       if ( appendToBody ) {
         $document.find('body').append($popup);
       } else {