diff --git a/src/command/cmd_funcs.c b/src/command/cmd_funcs.c
index 63e16415..51439237 100644
--- a/src/command/cmd_funcs.c
+++ b/src/command/cmd_funcs.c
@@ -4917,8 +4917,6 @@ cmd_sendfile(ProfWin* window, const char* const command, gchar** args)
         goto out;
     }
 
-    FILE* fh = fdopen(fd, "rb");
-
     gboolean omemo_enabled = FALSE;
     gboolean sendfile_enabled = TRUE;
 
@@ -4952,6 +4950,8 @@ cmd_sendfile(ProfWin* window, const char* const command, gchar** args)
         goto out;
     }
 
+    FILE* fh = fdopen(fd, "rb");
+
     if (omemo_enabled) {
 #ifdef HAVE_OMEMO
         char* err = NULL;