diff --git a/SoftwareSerial.h b/SoftwareSerial.h
index 3713448..dd9e767 100644
--- a/SoftwareSerial.h
+++ b/SoftwareSerial.h
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ class SoftwareSerial : public Stream
 public:
   // public methods
   SoftwareSerial(uint8_t receivePin, uint8_t transmitPin, bool inverse_logic = false);
-  ~SoftwareSerial();
+  virtual ~SoftwareSerial();
   void begin(long speed);
   bool listen();
   void end();