diff --git a/trick_source/java/src/trick/common/utils/VariableServerConnection.java b/trick_source/java/src/trick/common/utils/VariableServerConnection.java
index 6a1bbdc0..6c644094 100644
--- a/trick_source/java/src/trick/common/utils/VariableServerConnection.java
+++ b/trick_source/java/src/trick/common/utils/VariableServerConnection.java
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import java.net.UnknownHostException;
  *
  * @author Derek Bankieris
  */
-public class VariableServerConnection {
+public class VariableServerConnection implements AutoCloseable {
 
     /** maximum binary packet size sent by the Variable Server */
     public static final int maximumPacketSize = 8192;