diff --git a/python/magic.py b/python/magic.py
index a528cbc..eb153b0 100644
--- a/python/magic.py
+++ b/python/magic.py
@@ -111,12 +111,14 @@ _errno.argtypes = [magic_t]
 class Magic(object):
     def __init__(self, ms):
         self._magic_t = ms
+        self._close = _close
 
     def close(self):
         """
         Closes the magic database and deallocates any resources used.
         """
-        _close(self._magic_t)
+        if self._close:
+            self._close(self._magic_t)
 
     @staticmethod
     def __tostr(s):