diff --git a/Adafruit_Thermal.cpp b/Adafruit_Thermal.cpp
index bef02cb..5090e07 100644
--- a/Adafruit_Thermal.cpp
+++ b/Adafruit_Thermal.cpp
@@ -72,6 +72,13 @@ Adafruit_Thermal::Adafruit_Thermal(Stream *s, uint8_t dtr)
   dtrEnabled = false;
 }
 
+// Destructor
+Adafruit_Thermal::~Adafruit_Thermal(){
+  if (stream != nullptr) {
+    delete stream;
+  }
+}
+
 // This method sets the estimated completion time for a just-issued task.
 void Adafruit_Thermal::timeoutSet(unsigned long x) {
   if (!dtrEnabled)
diff --git a/Adafruit_Thermal.h b/Adafruit_Thermal.h
index bbde73c..ea9a886 100644
--- a/Adafruit_Thermal.h
+++ b/Adafruit_Thermal.h
@@ -101,6 +101,8 @@ class Adafruit_Thermal : public Print {
    * @param dtr Data Terminal Ready control
    */
   Adafruit_Thermal(Stream *s = &Serial, uint8_t dtr = 255);
+  
+  ~Adafruit_Thermal();
 
   size_t
     /*!
@@ -337,7 +339,7 @@ class Adafruit_Thermal : public Print {
     hasPaper();
 
 private:
-  Stream *stream;
+  Stream *stream = nullptr;
   uint8_t printMode,
       prevByte,      // Last character issued to printer
       column,        // Last horizontal column printed