diff --git a/angular-deckgrid.js b/angular-deckgrid.js
index e57bda8..1285dd5 100644
--- a/angular-deckgrid.js
+++ b/angular-deckgrid.js
@@ -78,17 +78,6 @@ angular.module('akoenig.deckgrid').factory('DeckgridDescriptor', [
 
         }
 
-        /**
-         * @private
-         *
-         * Cleanup method. Will be called when the
-         * deckgrid directive should be destroyed.
-         *
-         */
-        Descriptor.prototype.$$destroy = function $$destroy () {
-            this.$$deckgrid.destroy();
-        };
-
         /**
          * @private
          *
@@ -98,8 +87,6 @@ angular.module('akoenig.deckgrid').factory('DeckgridDescriptor', [
         Descriptor.prototype.$$link = function $$link (scope, elem, attrs, nullController, transclude) {
             var templateKey = 'deckgrid/innerHtmlTemplate' + (++this.$$templateKeyIndex) + '.html';
 
-            scope.$on('$destroy', this.$$destroy.bind(this));
-
             if (angular.isUndefined(attrs.cardtemplate)) {
                 if (angular.isUndefined(attrs.cardtemplatestring)) {
                     // use the provided inner html as template
@@ -136,6 +123,8 @@ angular.module('akoenig.deckgrid').factory('DeckgridDescriptor', [
             scope.mother = scope.$parent;
 
             this.$$deckgrid = Deckgrid.create(scope, elem[0]);
+            
+            scope.$on('$destroy', this.$$deckgrid.destroy.bind(this.$$deckgrid));
         };
 
         return {