diff --git a/bin/sh/eval.c b/bin/sh/eval.c
index b1609fd1f934..0699a6698391 100644
--- a/bin/sh/eval.c
+++ b/bin/sh/eval.c
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ evalpipe(n)
 				close(prevfd);
 			}
 			if (pip[1] >= 0) {
-				if (prevfd < 0)
+				if (!(prevfd >= 0 && pip[0] == 0))
 					close(pip[0]);
 				if (pip[1] != 1) {
 					close(1);