diff --git a/deleting.go b/deleting.go
index 230eba7..1e066c4 100644
--- a/deleting.go
+++ b/deleting.go
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ func (rl *Relay) handleDeleteRequest(ctx context.Context, evt *nostr.Event) erro
 							return err
 						}
 					}
+
+					// if it was tracked to be expired that is not needed anymore
+					rl.expirationManager.removeEvent(target.ID)
 				} else {
 					// fail and stop here
 					return fmt.Errorf("blocked: %s", msg)
diff --git a/expiration.go b/expiration.go
index 4e382d5..b3180b7 100644
--- a/expiration.go
+++ b/expiration.go
@@ -134,3 +134,16 @@ func (em *expirationManager) trackEvent(evt *nostr.Event) {
 		em.mu.Unlock()
 	}
 }
+
+func (em *expirationManager) removeEvent(id string) {
+	em.mu.Lock()
+	defer em.mu.Unlock()
+
+	// Find and remove the event from the heap
+	for i := 0; i < len(em.events); i++ {
+		if em.events[i].id == id {
+			heap.Remove(&em.events, i)
+			break
+		}
+	}
+}