diff --git a/shprewind.c b/shprewind.c
index b710a6b..64f0a73 100644
--- a/shprewind.c
+++ b/shprewind.c
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 
     if (hSHPOut == NULL)
     {
+        SHPClose(hSHP);
         printf("Unable to create:%s\n", argv[2]);
         exit(1);
     }