diff --git a/spinetoolbox/spine_db_editor/mvcmodels/multi_db_tree_model.py b/spinetoolbox/spine_db_editor/mvcmodels/multi_db_tree_model.py
index 7a9650524..d2727fa9b 100644
--- a/spinetoolbox/spine_db_editor/mvcmodels/multi_db_tree_model.py
+++ b/spinetoolbox/spine_db_editor/mvcmodels/multi_db_tree_model.py
@@ -19,8 +19,7 @@ class MultiDBTreeModel(MinimalTreeModel):
     """Base class for all tree models in Spine db editor."""
 
     def __init__(self, db_editor, db_mngr, *db_maps):
-        """Init class.
-
+        """
         Args:
             db_editor (SpineDBEditor)
             db_mngr (SpineDBManager): A manager for the given db_maps
diff --git a/spinetoolbox/spine_db_editor/mvcmodels/tree_model_base.py b/spinetoolbox/spine_db_editor/mvcmodels/tree_model_base.py
index 412f6b185..bbf1d5db2 100644
--- a/spinetoolbox/spine_db_editor/mvcmodels/tree_model_base.py
+++ b/spinetoolbox/spine_db_editor/mvcmodels/tree_model_base.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def __init__(self, db_editor, db_mngr, *db_maps):
         self.db_editor = db_editor
         self.db_mngr = db_mngr
         self.db_maps = db_maps
-        self.destroyed.connect(lambda _: self._tear_down_tree)
+        self.destroyed.connect(lambda _: self._invisible_root_item.tear_down_recursively())
 
     def columnCount(self, parent=QModelIndex()):
         """Returns the number of columns under the given parent. Always 2.
@@ -66,7 +66,3 @@ def db_item(item):
 
     def db_row(self, item):
         return self.db_item(item).child_number()
-
-    def _tear_down_tree(self):
-        """Tears down tree items recursively"""
-        self._invisible_root_item.tear_down_recursively()