diff --git a/meshtastic/__init__.py b/meshtastic/__init__.py
index 6bb914e..536aff6 100644
--- a/meshtastic/__init__.py
+++ b/meshtastic/__init__.py
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ class StreamInterface(MeshInterface):
         self._rxBuf = bytes()  # empty
         self._wantExit = False
 
-        self._rxThread = threading.Thread(target=self.__reader, args=())
+        self._rxThread = threading.Thread(target=self.__reader, args=(), daemon=True)
 
         MeshInterface.__init__(self, debugOut=debugOut, noProto=noProto)