diff --git a/settings.lua b/settings.lua
index c5dba9b47..b7a446202 100644
--- a/settings.lua
+++ b/settings.lua
@@ -33,5 +33,6 @@ end
 function DocSettings:close()
 	if self.docdb ~= nil then
 		self.docdb:close()
+		self.docdb = nil
 	end
 end