diff --git a/lib/kafs/afssys.c b/lib/kafs/afssys.c
index 4a7de84c8..10365f463 100644
--- a/lib/kafs/afssys.c
+++ b/lib/kafs/afssys.c
@@ -46,10 +46,12 @@ static char *
 k_cell()
 {
     static char cell[64];
+
     FILE *f = fopen(_PATH_THISCELL, "r");
     if (f == 0)
 	return 0;
     fscanf(f, "%s\n", cell);
+    fclose(f);
     if (cell[0] != 0)
 	return cell;
     else