diff --git a/pkg/sentry/kernel/epoll/epoll.go b/pkg/sentry/kernel/epoll/epoll.go
index 430311cc0..e84742993 100644
--- a/pkg/sentry/kernel/epoll/epoll.go
+++ b/pkg/sentry/kernel/epoll/epoll.go
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ func (e *EventPoll) Release() {
 		entry.id.File.EventUnregister(&entry.waiter)
 		entry.file.Drop()
 	}
+	e.files = nil
 }
 
 // Read implements fs.FileOperations.Read.