diff --git a/src/shearwater_petrel.c b/src/shearwater_petrel.c
index 4b5eca9..67a3bbc 100644
--- a/src/shearwater_petrel.c
+++ b/src/shearwater_petrel.c
@@ -387,6 +387,11 @@ shearwater_petrel_device_foreach (dc_device_t *abstract, dc_dive_callback_t call
 
 		offset += RECORD_SIZE;
 	}
+	// send the "graceful exit" instruction
+	// I don't think we care about the return value of this call - this is just trying to be nice to the device
+	unsigned char command[4] = { 0x2e, 0x90, 0x20, 0x00 };
+	rc = shearwater_common_command(&device->base, command, 4);
+	DEBUG(abstract->context, "Sent graceful exit command, rc=%d", rc);
 
 	// Update and emit a progress event.
 	progress.current = NSTEPS * current;