diff --git a/client/rpc/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/client/rpc/Utils.kt b/client/rpc/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/client/rpc/Utils.kt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..891a57202a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/rpc/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/client/rpc/Utils.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+package net.corda.client.rpc
+
+import rx.Observable
+
+/**
+ * This function should be invoked on any unwanted Observables returned from RPC to release the server resources.
+ *
+ * subscribe({}, {}) was used instead of simply calling subscribe()
+ * because if an {@code onError} emission arrives (eg. due to an non-correct transaction, such as 'Not sufficient funds')
+ * then {@link OnErrorNotImplementedException} is thrown. As we won't handle exceptions from unused Observables,
+ * empty inputs are used to subscribe({}, {}).
+ */
+fun <T> Observable<T>.notUsed() {
+    try {
+        this.subscribe({}, {}).unsubscribe()
+    } catch (e: Exception) {
+        // Swallow any other exceptions as well.
+    }
+}
diff --git a/core/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/core/messaging/CordaRPCOps.kt b/core/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/core/messaging/CordaRPCOps.kt
index 596aad3142..53be1a1485 100644
--- a/core/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/core/messaging/CordaRPCOps.kt
+++ b/core/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/core/messaging/CordaRPCOps.kt
@@ -219,8 +219,34 @@ inline fun <T : Any, A, B, C, D, reified R : FlowLogic<T>> CordaRPCOps.startFlow
  * @param returnValue A [ListenableFuture] of the flow's return value.
  */
 @CordaSerializable
-data class FlowHandle<A>(
+data class FlowHandle<A> (
         val id: StateMachineRunId,
         val progress: Observable<String>,
-        val returnValue: ListenableFuture<A>
-)
+        val returnValue: ListenableFuture<A>) : AutoCloseable {
+
+    /**
+     * Use this function for flows that returnValue and progress are not going to be used or tracked, so as to free up server resources.
+     * Note that it won't really close if one subscribes on progress [Observable], but then forgets to unsubscribe.
+     */
+    override fun close() {
+        returnValue.cancel(false)
+        progress.notUsed()
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * This function should be invoked on any unwanted Observables returned from RPC to release the server resources.
+ * TODO: Delete this function when this file is moved to RPC module, as Observable<T>.notUsed() exists there already.
+ *
+ * subscribe({}, {}) was used instead of simply calling subscribe()
+ * because if an {@code onError} emission arrives (eg. due to an non-correct transaction, such as 'Not sufficient funds')
+ * then {@link OnErrorNotImplementedException} is thrown. As we won't handle exceptions from unused Observables,
+ * empty inputs are used to subscribe({}, {}).
+ */
+fun <T> Observable<T>.notUsed() {
+    try {
+        this.subscribe({}, {}).unsubscribe()
+    } catch (e: Exception) {
+        // Swallow any other exceptions as well; we won't handle exceptions from unused Observables.
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tools/explorer/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/explorer/Main.kt b/tools/explorer/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/explorer/Main.kt
index 840f985a86..ebc62f2445 100644
--- a/tools/explorer/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/explorer/Main.kt
+++ b/tools/explorer/src/main/kotlin/net/corda/explorer/Main.kt
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import joptsimple.OptionParser
 import net.corda.client.jfx.model.Models
 import net.corda.client.jfx.model.observableValue
 import net.corda.client.mock.EventGenerator
+import net.corda.client.rpc.notUsed
 import net.corda.contracts.asset.Cash
 import net.corda.core.contracts.GBP
 import net.corda.core.contracts.USD
@@ -250,14 +251,14 @@ fun main(args: Array<String>) {
                         println("[$i] ISSUING ${command.amount} with ref ${command.issueRef} to ${command.recipient}")
                         val cmd = command.startFlow(issuerRPCGBP)
                         flowHandles["GBPIssuer"]?.add(cmd)
-                        cmd.progress.subscribe({}, {})?.unsubscribe()
+                        cmd.progress.notUsed()
                         Unit
                     }.generate(SplittableRandom())
                     issuerUSDEventGenerator.bankOfCordaIssueGenerator.map { command ->
                         println("[$i] ISSUING ${command.amount} with ref ${command.issueRef} to ${command.recipient}")
                         val cmd = command.startFlow(issuerRPCUSD)
                         flowHandles["USDIssuer"]?.add(cmd)
-                        cmd.progress.subscribe({}, {})?.unsubscribe()
+                        cmd.progress.notUsed()
                         Unit
                     }.generate(SplittableRandom())
                 }
@@ -268,14 +269,14 @@ fun main(args: Array<String>) {
                         println("[$i] EXITING ${command.amount} with ref ${command.issueRef}")
                         val cmd = command.startFlow(issuerRPCGBP)
                         flowHandles["GBPExit"]?.add(cmd)
-                        cmd.progress.subscribe({}, {})?.unsubscribe()
+                        cmd.progress.notUsed()
                         Unit
                     }.generate(SplittableRandom())
                     issuerUSDEventGenerator.bankOfCordaExitGenerator.map { command ->
                         println("[$i] EXITING ${command.amount} with ref ${command.issueRef}")
                         val cmd = command.startFlow(issuerRPCUSD)
                         flowHandles["USDExit"]?.add(cmd)
-                        cmd.progress.subscribe({}, {})?.unsubscribe()
+                        cmd.progress.notUsed()
                         Unit
                     }.generate(SplittableRandom())
                 }
@@ -287,7 +288,7 @@ fun main(args: Array<String>) {
                     println("[$i] SENDING ${command.amount} from ${aliceRPC.nodeIdentity().legalIdentity} to ${command.recipient}")
                     val cmd = command.startFlow(aliceRPC)
                     flowHandles["Alice"]?.add(cmd)
-                    cmd.progress.subscribe({}, {})?.unsubscribe()
+                    cmd.progress.notUsed()
                     Unit
                 }.generate(SplittableRandom())
 
@@ -296,7 +297,7 @@ fun main(args: Array<String>) {
                     println("[$i] SENDING ${command.amount} from ${bobRPC.nodeIdentity().legalIdentity} to ${command.recipient}")
                     val cmd = command.startFlow(bobRPC)
                     flowHandles["Bob"]?.add(cmd)
-                    cmd.progress.subscribe({}, {})?.unsubscribe()
+                    cmd.progress.notUsed()
                     Unit
                 }.generate(SplittableRandom())
             }