diff --git a/code/missionui/missiondebrief.cpp b/code/missionui/missiondebrief.cpp
index 6df9899f7fb..a62557e29b3 100644
--- a/code/missionui/missiondebrief.cpp
+++ b/code/missionui/missiondebrief.cpp
@@ -2115,11 +2115,13 @@ void debrief_close(bool API_Access)
 	}
 
 	// unload bitmaps
-	if (Background_bitmap >= 0){
+	// Not used by the API
+	if (!API_Access && Background_bitmap >= 0) {
 		bm_release(Background_bitmap);
 	}
 
-	if (Award_bg_bitmap >= 0){
+	// Not used by the API
+	if (!API_Access && Award_bg_bitmap >= 0) {
 		bm_release(Award_bg_bitmap);
 	}