diff --git a/simgear/scene/model/placement.cxx b/simgear/scene/model/placement.cxx
index 85284492..8d2ab9f2 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/model/placement.cxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/model/placement.cxx
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ SGModelPlacement::SGModelPlacement () :
     _selector(new osg::Switch),
     _transform(new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform)
 {
+    _selector->addChild(_transform.get());
 }
 
 SGModelPlacement::~SGModelPlacement ()
@@ -34,10 +35,11 @@ SGModelPlacement::~SGModelPlacement ()
 void
 SGModelPlacement::init( osg::Node * model )
 {
+  // remove previous model (in case of reinit)
+  _transform->removeChild(0,1);
   if (model != 0) {
       _transform->addChild(model);
   }
-  _selector->addChild(_transform.get());
   _selector->setValue(0, 1);
 }