diff --git a/src/vnet/interface_output.c b/src/vnet/interface_output.c
index 60953b0..c863d44 100644
--- a/src/vnet/interface_output.c
+++ b/src/vnet/interface_output.c
@@ -1439,6 +1439,8 @@
 		  im->pcap_main.n_packets_to_capture =
 		    im->pcap_main.n_packets_captured;
 		  error = pcap_write (&im->pcap_main);
+		  if (im->pcap_main.file_descriptor >= 0)
+		    pcap_close (&im->pcap_main);
 		  if (error)
 		    clib_error_report (error);
 		  else