diff --git a/youtube_dl/downloader/http.py b/youtube_dl/downloader/http.py
index d01d1897e4..6caf7451ed 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/downloader/http.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/downloader/http.py
@@ -193,7 +193,8 @@ class HttpFD(FileDownloader):
             self.to_stderr(u"\n")
             self.report_error(u'Did not get any data blocks')
             return False
-        stream.close()
+        if tmpfilename != u'-':
+            stream.close()
         self.report_finish(data_len_str, (time.time() - start))
         if data_len is not None and byte_counter != data_len:
             raise ContentTooShortError(byte_counter, int(data_len))