diff --git a/bindings/java/src/net/hyperic/sigar/cmd/Shell.java b/bindings/java/src/net/hyperic/sigar/cmd/Shell.java
index b2f2f5f6..01d810a1 100644
--- a/bindings/java/src/net/hyperic/sigar/cmd/Shell.java
+++ b/bindings/java/src/net/hyperic/sigar/cmd/Shell.java
@@ -164,6 +164,11 @@ public class Shell extends ShellBase {
                                                                 pid);
     }
 
+    public void shutdown() {
+        this.sigar.close();
+        super.shutdown();
+    }
+
     public static void main(String[] args) {
         Shell shell = new Shell();