diff --git a/guix/remote.scm b/guix/remote.scm
index cc051dee8a..fa19ece112 100644
--- a/guix/remote.scm
+++ b/guix/remote.scm
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ remote store."
           (mbegin %store-monad
             (built-derivations to-build)
             ((store-lift send-files) to-send remote #:recursive? #t)
+            (return (close-connection remote))
             (return (%remote-eval lowered session))))
         (let ((to-send (map (lambda (input)
                               (match (gexp-input-thing input)
@@ -127,4 +128,5 @@ remote store."
           (mbegin %store-monad
             ((store-lift send-files) to-send remote #:recursive? #t)
             (return (build-derivations remote to-build))
+            (return (close-connection remote))
             (return (%remote-eval lowered session)))))))