diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/notebookEditor.ts b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/notebookEditor.ts
index 060e809f098..d53d358d119 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/notebookEditor.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/notebookEditor.ts
@@ -141,6 +141,9 @@ export class NotebookEditor extends BaseEditor {
 			// make sure the editor widget is removed from the view
 			const existingEditorWidgetForInput = NotebookRegistry.getNotebookEditorWidget(this.input as NotebookEditorInput);
 			if (existingEditorWidgetForInput) {
+				// the editor widget is only referenced by the editor input
+				// clear its state
+				existingEditorWidgetForInput?.onWillHide();
 				existingEditorWidgetForInput?.getDomNode().remove();
 				existingEditorWidgetForInput?.dispose();
 				NotebookRegistry.releaseNotebookEditorWidget(this.input as NotebookEditorInput);