diff --git a/Lib/uu.py b/Lib/uu.py
index 3ccedb0..da89f72 100755
--- a/Lib/uu.py
+++ b/Lib/uu.py
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@
     #
     # Open the output file
     #
+    opened = False
     if out_file == '-':
         out_file = sys.stdout
     elif isinstance(out_file, basestring):
@@ -123,6 +124,7 @@
         except AttributeError:
             pass
         out_file = fp
+        opened = True
     #
     # Main decoding loop
     #
@@ -140,6 +142,8 @@
         s = in_file.readline()
     if not s:
         raise Error('Truncated input file')
+    if opened:
+        out_file.close()
 
 def test():
     """uuencode/uudecode main program"""