diff --git a/log/log.go b/log/log.go
index 7e9d30dda..845e3f81a 100644
--- a/log/log.go
+++ b/log/log.go
@@ -173,10 +173,11 @@ func SetOutputFile(path string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	SetOutput(f)
-	if outputFile != nil {
-		_ = outputFile.Close()
-	}
+	prev := outputFile
 	outputFile = f
+	if prev != nil {
+		_ = prev.Close()
+	}
 	return nil
 }