diff --git a/src/inactive-regions.ts b/src/inactive-regions.ts
index bbfaac1..e0ed01f 100644
--- a/src/inactive-regions.ts
+++ b/src/inactive-regions.ts
@@ -104,5 +104,8 @@ export class InactiveRegionsFeature implements vscodelc.StaticFeature {
   }
 
   getState(): vscodelc.FeatureState { return {kind: 'static'}; }
-  dispose() {}
-}
+
+  // clears inactive region decorations on disposal so they don't persist after
+  // extension is deactivated
+  dispose() { this.decorationType?.dispose(); }
+}
\ No newline at end of file