diff --git a/pinhook/bot.py b/pinhook/bot.py
index 784ca66..bc739da 100644
--- a/pinhook/bot.py
+++ b/pinhook/bot.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import os
 import re
 import ssl
 import time
+import pinhook.plugin
 
 import irc.bot
 
@@ -49,6 +50,8 @@ class Bot(irc.bot.SingleServerIRCBot):
                 setattr(self, a, kwarguments[a])
 
     def load_plugins(self):
+        # clear plugin list to ensure no old plugins remain
+        pinhook.plugin.clear_plugins()
         # ensure plugin folder exists
         if not os.path.exists(self.plugin_dir):
             os.makedirs(self.plugin_dir)
diff --git a/pinhook/plugin.py b/pinhook/plugin.py
index c43c565..f2eba31 100644
--- a/pinhook/plugin.py
+++ b/pinhook/plugin.py
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ def add_regex(regex, func):
     regexes.append({'regex': regex, 'func': func})
 
 
+def clear_plugins():
+    cmds.clear()
+
+
 def register(command):
     def register_for_command(func):
         add_plugin(command, func)