diff --git a/src/calibre/devices/kobo/db.py b/src/calibre/devices/kobo/db.py
index d73882e6fc..2d7015ae31 100644
--- a/src/calibre/devices/kobo/db.py
+++ b/src/calibre/devices/kobo/db.py
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ class Database:
 
     def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_value, tb) -> bool | None:
         suppress_exception = self.conn.__exit__(exc_type, exc_value, tb)
+        self.conn.close()
         if self.needs_copy and (suppress_exception or (exc_type is None and exc_value is None and tb is None)):
             self.copy_db()
         return suppress_exception