diff --git a/.changeset/backend-process-listener-cleanup.md b/.changeset/backend-process-listener-cleanup.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..eb4dc52937
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/backend-process-listener-cleanup.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/backend-app-api': patch
+---
+
+Fixed memory leak by properly cleaning up process event listeners on backend shutdown.
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/report.api.md b/packages/core-app-api/report.api.md
index e039394946..51bdb676ce 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/report.api.md
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/report.api.md
@@ -276,6 +276,7 @@ export class AppThemeSelector implements AppThemeApi {
   activeThemeId$(): Observable<string | undefined>;
   // (undocumented)
   static createWithStorage(themes: AppTheme[]): AppThemeSelector;
+  dispose(): void;
   // (undocumented)
   getActiveThemeId(): string | undefined;
   // (undocumented)