diff --git a/src/pocketmine/level/Level.php b/src/pocketmine/level/Level.php
index 5502811dc..fda1e3d2d 100644
--- a/src/pocketmine/level/Level.php
+++ b/src/pocketmine/level/Level.php
@@ -2979,6 +2979,7 @@ class Level implements ChunkManager, Metadatable{
 					$this->unloadChunkRequest($X, $Z, true);
 				}
 			}
+			$chunk->collectGarbage();
 		}
 
 		$this->provider->doGarbageCollection();
diff --git a/src/pocketmine/level/format/Chunk.php b/src/pocketmine/level/format/Chunk.php
index dd6fa64ec..27892f8fb 100644
--- a/src/pocketmine/level/format/Chunk.php
+++ b/src/pocketmine/level/format/Chunk.php
@@ -836,18 +836,13 @@ class Chunk{
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Disposes of empty subchunks
+	 * Disposes of empty subchunks and frees data where possible
 	 */
-	public function pruneEmptySubChunks(){
+	public function collectGarbage() : void{
 		foreach($this->subChunks as $y => $subChunk){
-			if($subChunk instanceof EmptySubChunk){
-				continue;
-			}elseif($subChunk->isEmpty()){ //normal subchunk full of air, remove it and replace it with an empty stub
+			if(!($subChunk instanceof EmptySubChunk) and $subChunk->isEmpty()){ //normal subchunk full of air, remove it and replace it with an empty stub
 				$this->subChunks[$y] = $this->emptySubChunk;
-			}else{
-				continue; //do not set changed
 			}
-			$this->hasChanged = true;
 		}
 	}