diff --git a/src/material-experimental/mdc-tabs/tab-group.spec.ts b/src/material-experimental/mdc-tabs/tab-group.spec.ts
index f3a8659804ce..adabc86bf284 100644
--- a/src/material-experimental/mdc-tabs/tab-group.spec.ts
+++ b/src/material-experimental/mdc-tabs/tab-group.spec.ts
@@ -280,6 +280,18 @@ describe('MatTabGroup', () => {
         .toHaveBeenCalledWith(jasmine.objectContaining({index: 0}));
     });
 
+    it('should clean up the tabs QueryList on destroy', () => {
+      const component: MatTabGroup =
+        fixture.debugElement.query(By.css('mat-tab-group'))!.componentInstance;
+      const spy = jasmine.createSpy('complete spy');
+      const subscription = component._tabs.changes.subscribe({complete: spy});
+
+      fixture.destroy();
+
+      expect(spy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      subscription.unsubscribe();
+    });
+
   });
 
   describe('aria labelling', () => {
diff --git a/src/material/tabs/tab-group.spec.ts b/src/material/tabs/tab-group.spec.ts
index 390265cfe281..c452f6498827 100644
--- a/src/material/tabs/tab-group.spec.ts
+++ b/src/material/tabs/tab-group.spec.ts
@@ -279,6 +279,18 @@ describe('MatTabGroup', () => {
         .toHaveBeenCalledWith(jasmine.objectContaining({index: 0}));
     });
 
+    it('should clean up the tabs QueryList on destroy', () => {
+      const component: MatTabGroup =
+        fixture.debugElement.query(By.css('mat-tab-group'))!.componentInstance;
+      const spy = jasmine.createSpy('complete spy');
+      const subscription = component._tabs.changes.subscribe({complete: spy});
+
+      fixture.destroy();
+
+      expect(spy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      subscription.unsubscribe();
+    });
+
   });
 
   describe('aria labelling', () => {
diff --git a/src/material/tabs/tab-group.ts b/src/material/tabs/tab-group.ts
index fd9318bfc627..6b46072a6005 100644
--- a/src/material/tabs/tab-group.ts
+++ b/src/material/tabs/tab-group.ts
@@ -297,6 +297,7 @@ export abstract class _MatTabGroupBase extends _MatTabGroupMixinBase implements
   }
 
   ngOnDestroy() {
+    this._tabs.destroy();
     this._tabsSubscription.unsubscribe();
     this._tabLabelSubscription.unsubscribe();
   }