diff --git a/RtAudio.cpp b/RtAudio.cpp
index b091e15..8255993 100644
--- a/RtAudio.cpp
+++ b/RtAudio.cpp
@@ -7157,6 +7157,7 @@ bool RtApiAlsa :: probeDeviceOpen( unsigned int device, StreamMode mode, unsigne
     if ( result == 0 ) {
       if ( nDevices == device ) {
         strcpy( name, "default" );
+        snd_ctl_close( chandle );
         goto foundDevice;
       }
       nDevices++;