diff --git a/examples/column_families_example.cc b/examples/column_families_example.cc
index df936d46a..0012e9dc1 100644
--- a/examples/column_families_example.cc
+++ b/examples/column_families_example.cc
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ int main() {
   assert(s.ok());
 
   // close DB
-  delete cf;
+  s = db->DestroyColumnFamilyHandle(cf);
+  assert(s.ok());
   delete db;
 
   // open DB with two column families
@@ -64,7 +65,8 @@ int main() {
 
   // close db
   for (auto handle : handles) {
-    delete handle;
+    s = db->DestroyColumnFamilyHandle(handle);
+    assert(s.ok());
   }
   delete db;