diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/XmlStaxJobFunctionalTests.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/XmlStaxJobFunctionalTests.java
index 3be3150b3..9806453fd 100644
--- a/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/XmlStaxJobFunctionalTests.java
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/XmlStaxJobFunctionalTests.java
@@ -36,8 +36,7 @@ public class XmlStaxJobFunctionalTests extends AbstractValidatingBatchLauncherTe
 	 * Output should be the same as input
 	 */
 	protected void validatePostConditions() throws Exception {
-		applicationContext.close(); //make sure the output file is closed
-		
+	
 		XMLUnit.setIgnoreWhitespace(true);
 		XMLAssert.assertXMLEqual(new FileReader(EXPECTED_OUTPUT_FILE), new FileReader(OUTPUT_FILE));
 	}