diff --git a/man/examples-code-check.c b/man/examples-code-check.c
index 95404841..a95cfac9 100644
--- a/man/examples-code-check.c
+++ b/man/examples-code-check.c
@@ -108,7 +108,8 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
         }
         if (strncmp(buffer, "DESCRIPTION", sizeof("DESCRIPTION")-1) == 0) {
           in_synopsis = 0;
-          fclose(fpheader);
+          if (fpheader)
+            fclose(fpheader);
           continue;
         }
         if (strncmp(buffer, "EXAMPLES", sizeof("EXAMPLES")-1) == 0) {