diff --git a/bridge/monitor.c b/bridge/monitor.c
index e96fcaf7..76e7d477 100644
--- a/bridge/monitor.c
+++ b/bridge/monitor.c
@@ -132,12 +132,15 @@ int do_monitor(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	if (file) {
 		FILE *fp;
+		int err;
 		fp = fopen(file, "r");
 		if (fp == NULL) {
 			perror("Cannot fopen");
 			exit(-1);
 		}
-		return rtnl_from_file(fp, accept_msg, stdout);
+		err = rtnl_from_file(fp, accept_msg, stdout);
+		fclose(fp);
+		return err;
 	}
 
 	if (rtnl_open(&rth, groups) < 0)