diff --git a/pi4j-example/src/main/java/SerialBufferedDataExample.java b/pi4j-example/src/main/java/SerialBufferedDataExample.java
index bd193b38b..ccff4a239 100644
--- a/pi4j-example/src/main/java/SerialBufferedDataExample.java
+++ b/pi4j-example/src/main/java/SerialBufferedDataExample.java
@@ -130,10 +130,13 @@ public static void main(String args[]) throws InterruptedException, IOException
                         System.out.println("[NO DATA AVAILABLE]");
                     }
                 }
-                catch(IllegalStateException ex){
+                catch(Exception ex){
                     ex.printStackTrace();
                 }
             }
+
+            // we are done; close serial port
+            serial.close();
         }
         catch(IOException ex) {
             console.println(" ==>> SERIAL SETUP FAILED : " + ex.getMessage());
diff --git a/pi4j-example/src/main/java/SerialExample.java b/pi4j-example/src/main/java/SerialExample.java
index ef66d202d..2d78ce9d0 100644
--- a/pi4j-example/src/main/java/SerialExample.java
+++ b/pi4j-example/src/main/java/SerialExample.java
@@ -161,6 +161,8 @@ public void dataReceived(SerialDataEvent event) {
                 Thread.sleep(1000);
             }
 
+            // we are done; close serial port
+            serial.close();
         }
         catch(IOException ex) {
             console.println(" ==>> SERIAL SETUP FAILED : " + ex.getMessage());