diff --git a/modules/core/include/opencv2/core/cuda.hpp b/modules/core/include/opencv2/core/cuda.hpp
index 09220cd6b2..1ebea07c0d 100644
--- a/modules/core/include/opencv2/core/cuda.hpp
+++ b/modules/core/include/opencv2/core/cuda.hpp
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ public:
     CV_WRAP void create(Size size, int type);
 
     //! decreases reference counter, deallocate the data when reference counter reaches 0
-    void release();
+    CV_WRAP void release();
 
     //! swaps with other smart pointer
     CV_WRAP void swap(GpuMat& mat);
diff --git a/modules/python/test/test_cuda.py b/modules/python/test/test_cuda.py
index a047a8b2f4..a5f3fae847 100644
--- a/modules/python/test/test_cuda.py
+++ b/modules/python/test/test_cuda.py
@@ -55,5 +55,14 @@ class cuda_test(NewOpenCVTests):
         self.assertEqual(cuMat.size(), (1024, 1024))
         self.assertEqual(cuMat.type(), cv.CV_8UC3)
 
+    def test_cuda_release(self):
+        npMat = (np.random.random((128, 128, 3)) * 255).astype(np.uint8)
+        cuMat = cv.cuda_GpuMat()
+        cuMat.upload(npMat)
+        cuMat.release()
+        self.assertTrue(cuMat.cudaPtr() == 0)
+        self.assertTrue(cuMat.step == 0)
+        self.assertTrue(cuMat.size() == (0, 0))
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     NewOpenCVTests.bootstrap()