diff --git a/aqt/profiles.py b/aqt/profiles.py
index a436e907d..f0444fe5e 100644
--- a/aqt/profiles.py
+++ b/aqt/profiles.py
@@ -231,6 +231,11 @@ and no other programs are accessing your profile folders, then try again."""))
         new = not os.path.exists(path)
         def recover():
             # if we can't load profile, start with a new one
+            if self.db:
+                try:
+                    self.db.close()
+                except:
+                    pass
             broken = path+".broken"
             if os.path.exists(broken):
                 os.unlink(broken)