diff --git a/gstlal-burst/bin/gstlal_cs_triggergen b/gstlal-burst/bin/gstlal_cs_triggergen
index b2014dde3ce0745dd4b2b6ec8fe30c1342f888bd..710cd27384a81cf5defd6498b4919657edfac3d1 100755
--- a/gstlal-burst/bin/gstlal_cs_triggergen
+++ b/gstlal-burst/bin/gstlal_cs_triggergen
@@ -309,6 +309,8 @@ if options.reference_psd is not None:
 else:
 	psd = None
 
+# delete the reference_psd to save memory
+del options.reference_psd
 
 @lsctables.use_in
 class LIGOLWContentHandler(ligolw.LIGOLWContentHandler):