diff --git a/file.go b/file.go
index cf023ce..d4c71f0 100644
--- a/file.go
+++ b/file.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ func (f *FileAppender) start() {
 	}
 
 	go func() {
+		defer f.file.Close()
 		for {
 			logEvent := <-f.lchan
 			logMsg := format(logEvent)