diff --git a/echo/containers.py b/echo/containers.py
index b26cdd2f..a061df44 100644
--- a/echo/containers.py
+++ b/echo/containers.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import weakref
+
 from . import CallbackProperty, HasCallbackProperties
 from .callback_container import CallbackContainer
 
@@ -184,9 +186,11 @@ def _default_setter(self, instance, value):
         dcb = dynamic_callback()
 
         wrapped_list = CallbackList(dcb, value)
+        _instance = weakref.ref(instance)
 
         def callback(*args, **kwargs):
-            self.notify(instance, wrapped_list, wrapped_list)
+            if _instance() is not None:
+                self.notify(_instance(), wrapped_list, wrapped_list)
 
         dcb.function = callback
 
@@ -210,9 +214,11 @@ def _default_setter(self, instance, value):
         dcb = dynamic_callback()
 
         wrapped_dict = CallbackDict(dcb, value)
+        _instance = weakref.ref(instance)
 
         def callback(*args, **kwargs):
-            self.notify(instance, wrapped_dict, wrapped_dict)
+            if _instance() is not None:
+                self.notify(_instance(), wrapped_dict, wrapped_dict)
 
         dcb.function = callback