diff --git a/bundles/core/org.openhab.core.compat1x/src/main/java/org/openhab/io/net/actions/Ping.java b/bundles/core/org.openhab.core.compat1x/src/main/java/org/openhab/io/net/actions/Ping.java
index 5d939feea7f0e..bbc5294bbb118 100644
--- a/bundles/core/org.openhab.core.compat1x/src/main/java/org/openhab/io/net/actions/Ping.java
+++ b/bundles/core/org.openhab.core.compat1x/src/main/java/org/openhab/io/net/actions/Ping.java
@@ -50,9 +50,11 @@ public static boolean checkVitality(String host, int port, int timeout) throws I
 			}
 			else {
 				SocketAddress socketAddress = new InetSocketAddress(host, port);
-				
-				Socket socket = new Socket();
-				socket.connect(socketAddress, timeout);
+
+                try (Socket socket = new Socket()) {
+                    socket.connect(socketAddress, timeout);
+                }
+
 				success = true;
 			}
 		}