diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/MaterialEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities/src/MaterialEntityItem.cpp
index e3e3390449..44ef34a3a4 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/MaterialEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/MaterialEntityItem.cpp
@@ -27,10 +27,6 @@ MaterialEntityItem::MaterialEntityItem(const EntityItemID& entityItemID) : Entit
     _type = EntityTypes::Material;
 }
 
-MaterialEntityItem::~MaterialEntityItem() {
-    removeMaterial();
-}
-
 EntityItemProperties MaterialEntityItem::getProperties(EntityPropertyFlags desiredProperties) const {
     EntityItemProperties properties = EntityItem::getProperties(desiredProperties); // get the properties from our base class
     COPY_ENTITY_PROPERTY_TO_PROPERTIES(materialURL, getMaterialURL);
@@ -329,6 +325,11 @@ void MaterialEntityItem::postParentFixup() {
     applyMaterial();
 }
 
+void MaterialEntityItem::preDelete() {
+    EntityItem::preDelete();
+    removeMaterial();
+}
+
 void MaterialEntityItem::update(const quint64& now) {
     if (_retryApply) {
         applyMaterial();
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/MaterialEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities/src/MaterialEntityItem.h
index e203b707cc..f77077a782 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/MaterialEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/MaterialEntityItem.h
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ public:
     static EntityItemPointer factory(const EntityItemID& entityID, const EntityItemProperties& properties);
 
     MaterialEntityItem(const EntityItemID& entityItemID);
-    ~MaterialEntityItem();
 
     ALLOW_INSTANTIATION // This class can be instantiated
 
@@ -85,6 +84,7 @@ public:
     void removeMaterial();
 
     void postParentFixup() override;
+    void preDelete() override;
 
 private:
     // URL for this material.  Currently, only JSON format is supported.  Set to "userData" to use the user data to live edit a material.