diff --git a/core/testcontainers/core/generic.py b/core/testcontainers/core/generic.py
index 21bf9d7e..a3bff96e 100644
--- a/core/testcontainers/core/generic.py
+++ b/core/testcontainers/core/generic.py
@@ -36,7 +36,10 @@ def _connect(self) -> None:
         import sqlalchemy
 
         engine = sqlalchemy.create_engine(self.get_connection_url())
-        engine.connect()
+        try:
+            engine.connect()
+        finally:
+            engine.dispose()
 
     def get_connection_url(self) -> str:
         raise NotImplementedError