diff --git a/scd/command.c b/scd/command.c
index 239480bfa..2909330e5 100644
--- a/scd/command.c
+++ b/scd/command.c
@@ -2340,7 +2340,10 @@ update_reader_status_file (int set_card_removed_flag)
 
           /* Set the card removed flag for all current sessions.  */
           if (vr->any && vr->status == 0 && set_card_removed_flag)
-            update_card_removed (idx, 1);
+	    {
+              apdu_close_reader (vr->slot);
+              update_card_removed (idx, 1);
+	    }
 
           vr->any = 1;