diff --git a/vl.c b/vl.c
index 773649f023..236f95efd7 100644
--- a/vl.c
+++ b/vl.c
@@ -3890,7 +3890,9 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv, char **envp)
                         }
                     }
                     qemu_config_write(fp);
-                    fclose(fp);
+                    if (fp != stdout) {
+                        fclose(fp);
+                    }
                     break;
                 }
             case QEMU_OPTION_qtest: