diff --git a/include/aolayer.h b/include/aolayer.h
index c32da02..1984b77 100644
--- a/include/aolayer.h
+++ b/include/aolayer.h
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ public:
   // Stop the movie, clearing the image
   void stop();
 
+  // Stop the movie and clear all vectors
+  void kill();
+
   // Set the m_flipped variable to true/false
   void set_flipped(bool p_flipped) { m_flipped = p_flipped; }
 
diff --git a/src/aolayer.cpp b/src/aolayer.cpp
index 2fac58b..e766495 100644
--- a/src/aolayer.cpp
+++ b/src/aolayer.cpp
@@ -493,6 +493,16 @@ void AOLayer::freeze()
   preanim_timer->stop();
 }
 
+void AOLayer::kill()
+{
+  // used for when we want to ensure a file is loaded anew
+  this->stop();
+  this->clear();
+  movie_frames.clear();
+  movie_delays.clear();
+  last_path = "";
+}
+
 void CharLayer::movie_ticker()
 {
   AOLayer::movie_ticker();
diff --git a/src/courtroom.cpp b/src/courtroom.cpp
index 16ec73e..76431e5 100644
--- a/src/courtroom.cpp
+++ b/src/courtroom.cpp
@@ -1299,6 +1299,8 @@ void Courtroom::set_background(QString p_background, bool display)
     ui_vp_objection->stop();
     chat_tick_timer->stop();
     ui_vp_evidence_display->reset();
+    ui_vp_background->kill();
+    ui_vp_desk->kill();
     set_scene(
         QString::number(ao_app->get_desk_mod(current_char, current_emote)),
         current_side);