diff --git a/ibis/backends/__init__.py b/ibis/backends/__init__.py
index 20973d265b278..f31228b949bf1 100644
--- a/ibis/backends/__init__.py
+++ b/ibis/backends/__init__.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 import keyword
 import re
 import urllib.parse
+import weakref
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, ClassVar
 
@@ -114,7 +115,7 @@ def _ipython_key_completions_(self) -> list[str]:
 class DDLAccessor:
     """ddl accessor list views."""
 
-    def __init__(self, backend: BaseBackend):
+    def __init__(self, backend: weakref.proxy):
         self._backend = backend
 
     def _raise_if_not_implemented(self, method_name: str):
@@ -1051,7 +1052,7 @@ def tables(self):
     @functools.cached_property
     def ddl(self):
         """A ddl accessor."""
-        return DDLAccessor(self)
+        return DDLAccessor(weakref.proxy(self))
 
     @property
     @abc.abstractmethod