diff --git a/update.cpp b/update.cpp
index 342b21a..0ae07e0 100644
--- a/update.cpp
+++ b/update.cpp
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ static const QMap<QString, int> baudrateMap = {
   {"57600"  ,   4}, {"115200" ,   5}
 };
 
+QPluginLoader Update::pluginLoader;
+
 hwinf *Update::loadDCPlugin(QDir const &plugInDir, QString const &fname) {
     hwinf *hw = nullptr;
     if (plugInDir.exists()) {
@@ -48,7 +50,8 @@ hwinf *Update::loadDCPlugin(QDir const &plugInDir, QString const &fname) {
         QFileInfo info(pluginLibName);
         if (info.exists()) {
             pluginLibName = plugInDir.absoluteFilePath(pluginLibName);
-            static QPluginLoader pluginLoader(pluginLibName);
+            pluginLoader.setFileName(pluginLibName);
+            // static QPluginLoader pluginLoader(pluginLibName);
             if (!pluginLoader.load()) {
                 qCritical() << "in directory" << plugInDir.absolutePath();
                 qCritical() << "cannot load plugin" << pluginLoader.fileName();
@@ -80,6 +83,21 @@ hwinf *Update::loadDCPlugin(QDir const &plugInDir, QString const &fname) {
     return hw;
 }
 
+bool Update::unloadDCPlugin() {
+    if (pluginLoader.unload()) {
+        qCritical() << "unloaded plugin" << pluginLoader.fileName();
+        // Note: will re-instantiate the library !
+        // QObject *rootObject = pluginLoader.instance();
+        // if (rootObject) {
+        //    qCritical() << "reloaded plugin: root object again available";
+        //    return false;
+        // }
+        // qCritical()unloaded plugin: root object gone";
+        return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 Update::Update(hwinf *hw,
                Worker *worker,
                QString customerRepository,