diff --git a/direct/src/gui/DirectGuiBase.py b/direct/src/gui/DirectGuiBase.py
index a5606209fc..1aea2f67dc 100644
--- a/direct/src/gui/DirectGuiBase.py
+++ b/direct/src/gui/DirectGuiBase.py
@@ -1010,7 +1010,7 @@ class DirectGuiWidget(DirectGuiBase, NodePath):
     def destroy(self):
         if __dev__:
             if hasattr(base, 'guiItems'):
-                if self in base.guiItems:
+                if self.guiId in base.guiItems:
                     del base.guiItems[self.guiId]
                 else:
                     base.notify.warning(