diff --git a/gramps/src/WriteXML.py b/gramps/src/WriteXML.py
index 9e059f7af..d231494d0 100644
--- a/gramps/src/WriteXML.py
+++ b/gramps/src/WriteXML.py
@@ -471,6 +471,7 @@ def exportData(database, filename, callback):
 
     try:
         write_xml_data(database, g, callback, 0)
+        g.close()
     except:
         from gnome.ui import GnomeErrorDialog
         import traceback