diff --git a/selfdrive/locationd/locationd.py b/selfdrive/locationd/locationd.py
index 7678393990..20ef4e981b 100755
--- a/selfdrive/locationd/locationd.py
+++ b/selfdrive/locationd/locationd.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 import json
+import gc
 import numpy as np
 import sympy as sp
 import cereal.messaging as messaging
@@ -289,6 +290,8 @@ class Localizer():
 
 
 def locationd_thread(sm, pm, disabled_logs=None):
+  gc.disable()
+
   if disabled_logs is None:
     disabled_logs = []
 
diff --git a/selfdrive/locationd/paramsd.py b/selfdrive/locationd/paramsd.py
index ba39bc0d70..d47c64cc61 100755
--- a/selfdrive/locationd/paramsd.py
+++ b/selfdrive/locationd/paramsd.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
+import gc
 import math
 
 import json
@@ -65,6 +66,8 @@ class ParamsLearner:
 
 
 def main(sm=None, pm=None):
+  gc.disable()
+
   if sm is None:
     sm = messaging.SubMaster(['liveLocationKalman', 'carState'], poll=['liveLocationKalman'])
   if pm is None: