diff --git a/libexec/ftpd/ftpd.c b/libexec/ftpd/ftpd.c
index bc96d2d6211e..cf7d73de2a14 100644
--- a/libexec/ftpd/ftpd.c
+++ b/libexec/ftpd/ftpd.c
@@ -2909,6 +2909,10 @@ guniquefd(char *local, char **name)
 			*name = count ? new : local;
 			return (fd);
 		}
+		if (errno != EEXIST) {
+			perror_reply(550, count ? new : local);
+			return (-1);
+		}
 	}
 	reply(452, "Unique file name cannot be created.");
 	return (-1);