Abstract: In a refrigerator having a cabinet which defines an opening, an ice dispensing apparatus within the opening dispenses ice pieces through a delivery chute. An inner ice door is mounted on hinges within the delivery chute and movable to a first position which blocks the delivery chute from the passage of ice pieces, or to a second position which allows the passage of ice pieces through the delivery chute. An ice guard is provided which protects the hinges from ice pieces which pass from the ice dispensing apparatus through the delivery chute, as well as from becoming frozen in the first closed position. The ice guard comprises a sweeper member which is biased against the inner ice door and sweeps against it as the inner ice door is moved from the first to the second position, thus removing any ice pieces or water from the inner ice door.