diff --git a/src/deque.jl b/src/deque.jl
index 1ba54c13..d4bd0283 100644
--- a/src/deque.jl
+++ b/src/deque.jl
@@ -297,6 +297,7 @@ function Base.pop!(d::Deque{T}) where T
     @assert rear.back >= rear.front
 
     @inbounds x = rear.data[rear.back]
+    Base._unsetindex!(rear.data, rear.back)
     rear.back -= 1
     if rear.back < rear.front
         if d.nblocks > 1
@@ -322,6 +323,7 @@ function Base.popfirst!(d::Deque{T}) where T
     @assert head.back >= head.front
 
     @inbounds x = head.data[head.front]
+    Base._unsetindex!(head.data, head.front)
     head.front += 1
     if head.back < head.front
         if d.nblocks > 1