diff --git a/elpy/jedibackend.py b/elpy/jedibackend.py
index 402bd8502..de08f1191 100644
--- a/elpy/jedibackend.py
+++ b/elpy/jedibackend.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 import sys
 import traceback
 import re
+import gc
 
 import jedi
 
@@ -380,3 +381,7 @@ def _debug(level, str_out):
                             data=data)
         finally:
             jedi.set_debug_function(None)
+            # Explicitly call the garbage collector to avoid
+            # accumulating jedi processes
+            # (see https://github.com/jorgenschaefer/elpy/issues/1481)
+            gc.collect()