diff --git a/RELEASE-NOTES-next b/RELEASE-NOTES-next
index cc617f5a4..9c9660431 100644
--- a/RELEASE-NOTES-next
+++ b/RELEASE-NOTES-next
@@ -24,3 +24,4 @@ strongly encouraged to upgrade.
   • fix workspaces not moving to assigned output after output becomes available
   • fix duplicate bindcode after i3-config-wizard
   • clear pixmap before drawing to prevent visual grabage in clients using 'Shape'
+  • i3bar: properly close file descriptors
diff --git a/i3bar/src/child.c b/i3bar/src/child.c
index bece314f2..1198186be 100644
--- a/i3bar/src/child.c
+++ b/i3bar/src/child.c
@@ -139,6 +139,10 @@ static void cleanup(void) {
     if (stdin_io != NULL) {
         ev_io_stop(main_loop, stdin_io);
         FREE(stdin_io);
+        close(stdin_fd);
+        stdin_fd = 0;
+        close(child_stdin);
+        child_stdin = 0;
     }
 
     if (child_sig != NULL) {