diff --git a/lib/std/fs.zig b/lib/std/fs.zig
index f927d53962..a20f9942f6 100644
--- a/lib/std/fs.zig
+++ b/lib/std/fs.zig
@@ -892,6 +892,7 @@ pub const Dir = struct {
             try std.event.Loop.instance.?.openatZ(self.fd, sub_path_c, os_flags, flags.mode)
         else
             try os.openatZ(self.fd, sub_path_c, os_flags, flags.mode);
+        errdefer os.close(fd);
 
         if (!has_flock_open_flags and flags.lock != .None) {
             // TODO: integrate async I/O