diff --git a/jquery.timeago.js b/jquery.timeago.js
index 264b7317..99bccf3b 100644
--- a/jquery.timeago.js
+++ b/jquery.timeago.js
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@
   // functions are called with context of a single element
   var functions = {
     init: function() {
+      functions.dispose.call(this);
       var refresh_el = $.proxy(refresh, this);
       refresh_el();
       var $s = $t.settings;