diff --git a/mercurial/sshpeer.py b/mercurial/sshpeer.py
--- a/mercurial/sshpeer.py
+++ b/mercurial/sshpeer.py
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@
         return True
 
     def close(self):
-        pass
+        self._cleanup()
 
     # End of ipeerconnection interface.