diff --git a/pyqtgraph/dockarea/Dock.py b/pyqtgraph/dockarea/Dock.py
index ebc0c785..4493d075 100644
--- a/pyqtgraph/dockarea/Dock.py
+++ b/pyqtgraph/dockarea/Dock.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from ..python2_3 import asUnicode
 class Dock(QtGui.QWidget, DockDrop):
     
     sigStretchChanged = QtCore.Signal()
+    sigClosed = QtCore.Signal(object)
     
     def __init__(self, name, area=None, size=(10, 10), widget=None, hideTitle=False, autoOrientation=True, closable=False):
         QtGui.QWidget.__init__(self)
@@ -237,6 +238,7 @@ class Dock(QtGui.QWidget, DockDrop):
         self.label.setParent(None)
         self._container.apoptose()
         self._container = None
+        self.sigClosed.emit(self)
 
     def __repr__(self):
         return "<Dock %s %s>" % (self.name(), self.stretch())
diff --git a/pyqtgraph/dockarea/DockArea.py b/pyqtgraph/dockarea/DockArea.py
index d8e0c3a5..aedee749 100644
--- a/pyqtgraph/dockarea/DockArea.py
+++ b/pyqtgraph/dockarea/DockArea.py
@@ -172,8 +172,7 @@ class DockArea(Container, QtGui.QWidget, DockDrop):
         if self.home is None:
             area = DockArea(temporary=True, home=self)
             self.tempAreas.append(area)
-            win = QtGui.QMainWindow()
-            win.setCentralWidget(area)
+            win = TempAreaWindow(area)
             area.win = win
             win.show()
         else:
@@ -309,6 +308,11 @@ class DockArea(Container, QtGui.QWidget, DockDrop):
             if self.temporary:
                 self.home.removeTempArea(self)
                 #self.close()
+
+    def clear(self):
+        docks = self.findAll()[1]
+        for dock in docks.values():
+            dock.close()
             
     ## PySide bug: We need to explicitly redefine these methods
     ## or else drag/drop events will not be delivered.
@@ -324,5 +328,12 @@ class DockArea(Container, QtGui.QWidget, DockDrop):
     def dropEvent(self, *args):
         DockDrop.dropEvent(self, *args)
 
-        
-        
+
+class TempAreaWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
+    def __init__(self, area, **kwargs):
+        QtGui.QMainWindow.__init__(self, **kwargs)
+        self.setCentralWidget(area)
+
+    def closeEvent(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        self.centralWidget().clear()
+        QtGui.QMainWindow.closeEvent(self, *args, **kwargs)