diff --git a/src/obidms_taxonomy.c b/src/obidms_taxonomy.c
index fb36b29..fbace6e 100755
--- a/src/obidms_taxonomy.c
+++ b/src/obidms_taxonomy.c
@@ -571,13 +571,11 @@ static FILE* open_ecorecorddb(const char* file_name,
 		{
 	 		obi_set_errno(OBI_TAXONOMY_ERROR);
 	 		obidebug(1, "\nCouldn't open a taxonomy file");
-	 		fclose(f);
 	 		return NULL;
 		}
 	 	else
 	 	{
 	 		*count = 0;
-	 		fclose(f);
 	 		return NULL;
 	 	}
 	}