diff --git a/src/encmain.c b/src/encmain.c
index cd3e730a..8cbb8b42 100644
--- a/src/encmain.c
+++ b/src/encmain.c
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
   fclose(input);
   fclose(output);
-  fclose(cqmfile);
+  if(cqmfile != NULL) fclose(cqmfile);
   #ifdef _DEBUG
   fclose(recout);
   #endif