diff --git a/pyqtgraph/__init__.py b/pyqtgraph/__init__.py
index 24653207..412c8627 100644
--- a/pyqtgraph/__init__.py
+++ b/pyqtgraph/__init__.py
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ def cleanup():
                         'are properly called before app shutdown (%s)\n' % (o,))
                 
                 s.addItem(o)
-        except RuntimeError:  ## occurs if a python wrapper no longer has its underlying C++ object
+        except (RuntimeError, ReferenceError):  ## occurs if a python wrapper no longer has its underlying C++ object
             continue
     _cleanupCalled = True