diff --git a/gitk b/gitk
index 9000383235..b0a76dd225 100755
--- a/gitk
+++ b/gitk
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ proc readrefs {} {
 	    lappend idotherrefs($id) $name
 	}
     }
-    close $refd
+    catch {close $refd}
     set mainhead {}
     set mainheadid {}
     catch {