diff --git a/cmd/olliesrv/server.go b/cmd/olliesrv/server.go
index b957df2..66e4b7a 100644
--- a/cmd/olliesrv/server.go
+++ b/cmd/olliesrv/server.go
@@ -608,8 +608,10 @@ func read(root *fs.Tree, cs *connState, fc *plan9.Fcall, ctx context.Context) *p
 		f.readCache = r.data
 		return readSlice(fc, r.data)
 	case <-ctx.Done():
+		entry.Close()
 		return errFcall(fc, ctx.Err().Error())
 	case <-timer.C:
+		entry.Close()
 		return errFcall(fc, "read timeout")
 	}
 }