diff --git a/bot.go b/bot.go
index cddf72c..b88d8db 100644
--- a/bot.go
+++ b/bot.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ type BotAPI struct {
 
 	Self   User         `json:"-"`
 	Client *http.Client `json:"-"`
+	shutdownChannel chan interface{}
 }
 
 // NewBotAPI creates a new BotAPI instance.
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ func NewBotAPIWithClient(token string, client *http.Client) (*BotAPI, error) {
 		Token:  token,
 		Client: client,
 		Buffer: 100,
+		shutdownChannel: make(chan interface{}),
 	}
 
 	self, err := bot.GetMe()
@@ -483,6 +485,12 @@ func (bot *BotAPI) GetUpdatesChan(config UpdateConfig) (UpdatesChannel, error) {
 
 	go func() {
 		for {
+			select {
+			case <-bot.shutdownChannel:
+				return
+			default:
+			}
+			
 			updates, err := bot.GetUpdates(config)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Println(err)
@@ -501,6 +509,14 @@ func (bot *BotAPI) GetUpdatesChan(config UpdateConfig) (UpdatesChannel, error) {
 	return ch, nil
 }
 
+// StopReceivingUpdates stops the go routine which receives updates
+func (bot *BotAPI) StopReceivingUpdates() {
+	if bot.Debug {
+		log.Println("Stopping the update receiver routine...")
+	}
+	close(bot.shutdownChannel)
+}
+
 // ListenForWebhook registers a http handler for a webhook.
 func (bot *BotAPI) ListenForWebhook(pattern string) UpdatesChannel {
 	ch := make(chan Update, bot.Buffer)