diff --git a/scout_base/src/scout_base_node.cpp b/scout_base/src/scout_base_node.cpp
index 215a257..2308887 100644
--- a/scout_base/src/scout_base_node.cpp
+++ b/scout_base/src/scout_base_node.cpp
@@ -8,13 +8,21 @@
 
 using namespace westonrobot;
 
+ScoutBase robot;
+
+void DetachRobot(int signal) {
+  robot.Disconnect();
+  robot.Terminate();
+}
+
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   // setup ROS node
   ros::init(argc, argv, "scout_odom");
   ros::NodeHandle node(""), private_node("~");
 
+  std::signal(SIGINT, DetachRobot);
+
   // instantiate a robot object
-  ScoutBase robot;
   ScoutROSMessenger messenger(&robot, &node);
 
   // fetch parameters before connecting to robot