A method is described for sealing the buffer tube of an optical cable to the optical fiber to ready the cable for mounting in a terminus, which is relatively simple, avoids damage to the cable, and keeps the optical fiber centered on the buffer tube. The method includes placing a shrink tube (80, FIG. 2) around an end portion (72) of the buffer tube (16), and heating them to melt the end portion of the buffer tube and to shrink the shrink tube so it compresses the molten buffer tube against the outside of the optical fiber. The end portion (72A, FIG. 3) of the buffer tube which has been flowed closely around the optical fiber (14), seals the end of the buffer tube against the entrance of epoxy during termination to a terminus, prevents sliding of the optical fiber with respect to the buffer tube, and maintains the optical fiber centered on the end portion of the buffer tube.