diff --git a/libc/runtime/zipos-close.c b/libc/runtime/zipos-close.c
index b316d8c94..c6559016a 100644
--- a/libc/runtime/zipos-close.c
+++ b/libc/runtime/zipos-close.c
@@ -31,14 +31,14 @@
  */
 int __zipos_close(int fd) {
   int rc;
-  struct ZiposHandle *h;
-  h = (struct ZiposHandle *)(intptr_t)g_fds.p[fd].handle;
   if (!IsWindows()) {
     rc = sys_close(fd);
   } else {
     rc = 0;  // no system file descriptor needed on nt
   }
   if (!__vforked) {
+    struct ZiposHandle *h;
+    h = (struct ZiposHandle *)(intptr_t)g_fds.p[fd].handle;
     __zipos_free(h);
   }
   return rc;