diff --git a/src/files.c b/src/files.c
index 75f276c98..457706c25 100644
--- a/src/files.c
+++ b/src/files.c
@@ -629,7 +629,8 @@ really_close()
 	lftrack.nethack_thinks_it_is_open = FALSE;
 	lftrack.fd = -1;
 	lftrack.oflag = 0;
-	(void)_close(fd);
+	if (fd != -1)
+		(void)_close(fd);
 	return;
 }