diff --git a/ip/xfrm_monitor.c b/ip/xfrm_monitor.c
index 153621f7..baa46106 100644
--- a/ip/xfrm_monitor.c
+++ b/ip/xfrm_monitor.c
@@ -152,9 +152,10 @@ static int xfrm_accept_msg(const struct sockaddr_nl *who,
 	return 0;
 }
 
+extern struct rtnl_handle rth;
+
 int do_xfrm_monitor(int argc, char **argv)
 {
-	struct rtnl_handle rth;
 	char *file = NULL;
 	unsigned groups = ~((unsigned)0); /* XXX */
 	int lacquire=0;
@@ -162,6 +163,8 @@ int do_xfrm_monitor(int argc, char **argv)
 	int lpolicy=0;
 	int lsa=0;
 
+	rtnl_close(&rth);
+
 	while (argc > 0) {
 		if (matches(*argv, "file") == 0) {
 			NEXT_ARG();