diff --git a/src/stk500generic.c b/src/stk500generic.c
index b3f6d741..49ecb75b 100644
--- a/src/stk500generic.c
+++ b/src/stk500generic.c
@@ -47,8 +47,6 @@ static int stk500generic_open(PROGRAMMER *pgm, const char *port) {
     return 0;
   }
 
-  pgm->close(pgm);
-
   stk500v2_initpgm(pgm);
   if(pgm->setup)
     pgm->setup(pgm);