diff --git a/MinimizingLateness/MinimizingLateness.java b/MinimizingLateness/MinimizingLateness.java
index 1438f6f3..46e6fb4e 100644
--- a/MinimizingLateness/MinimizingLateness.java
+++ b/MinimizingLateness/MinimizingLateness.java
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ public class MinimizingLateness {
         BufferedReader in = new BufferedReader(new FileReader("MinimizingLateness/lateness_data.txt"));
         String ch = in.readLine();
         if (ch == null || ch.isEmpty()) {
+            in.close();
             return;
         }
         int indexCount = Integer.parseInt(ch);