diff --git a/odoo/service/server.py b/odoo/service/server.py
index 93006359600..a6f86dae891 100644
--- a/odoo/service/server.py
+++ b/odoo/service/server.py
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ class FSWatcherInotify(FSWatcherBase):
     def stop(self):
         self.started = False
         self.thread.join()
+        del self.watcher  # ensures inotify watches are freed up before reexec
 
 
 #----------------------------------------------------------