diff --git a/library/src/main/java/com/readystatesoftware/sqliteasset/SQLiteAssetHelper.java b/library/src/main/java/com/readystatesoftware/sqliteasset/SQLiteAssetHelper.java
index ebee1c9..27c58f8 100755
--- a/library/src/main/java/com/readystatesoftware/sqliteasset/SQLiteAssetHelper.java
+++ b/library/src/main/java/com/readystatesoftware/sqliteasset/SQLiteAssetHelper.java
@@ -179,6 +179,8 @@ public synchronized SQLiteDatabase getWritableDatabase() {
 
             // do force upgrade
             if (version != 0 && version < mForcedUpgradeVersion) {
+                //Close the old database
+                db.close();
                 db = createOrOpenDatabase(true);
                 db.setVersion(mNewVersion);
                 version = db.getVersion();