diff --git a/unix/uxser.c b/unix/uxser.c
index f38a8eac..f3aaec6c 100644
--- a/unix/uxser.c
+++ b/unix/uxser.c
@@ -333,6 +333,7 @@ static const char *serial_init(Seat *seat, Backend **backend_handle,
 static void serial_close(Serial *serial)
 {
     if (serial->fd >= 0) {
+        uxsel_del(serial->fd);
         close(serial->fd);
         serial->fd = -1;
     }