diff --git a/check.c b/check.c
index 3fb306181..0a4823f0b 100644
--- a/check.c
+++ b/check.c
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ lecture(status)
     if (def_lecture_file && (fp = fopen(def_lecture_file, "r")) != NULL) {
 	while ((nread = fread(buf, sizeof(char), sizeof(buf), fp)) != 0)
 	    fwrite(buf, nread, 1, stderr);
+	fclose(fp);
     } else {
 	(void) fputs("\n\
 We trust you have received the usual lecture from the local System\n\