diff --git a/vcfpp.h b/vcfpp.h
index d865f8a..513ea3a 100644
--- a/vcfpp.h
+++ b/vcfpp.h
@@ -157,6 +157,16 @@ struct variant_close
     }
 };
 
+
+// deleter for bcf header
+struct bcf_hdr_close
+{
+    void operator()(bcf_hdr_t * x)
+    {
+        if(x) bcf_hdr_destroy(x);
+    }
+};
+    
 /**
  * @class BcfHeader
  * @brief Object represents header of the VCF, offering methods to access and modify the tags
@@ -177,8 +187,8 @@ class BcfHeader
 
     ~BcfHeader()
     {
-        if(hdr) bcf_hrec_destroy(hrec);
-        if(hrec) bcf_hdr_destroy(hdr);
+        if(hrec) bcf_hrec_destroy(hrec);
+        if(hdr) bcf_hdr_destroy(hdr);
     }
 
     /** @brief stream out the header */