diff --git a/pipe_io_server/pipe_reader_thread.py b/pipe_io_server/pipe_reader_thread.py
index 84d9288..28b6818 100644
--- a/pipe_io_server/pipe_reader_thread.py
+++ b/pipe_io_server/pipe_reader_thread.py
@@ -25,8 +25,7 @@ class PipeReaderThread(Thread):
                     self._stop_event.set()
                     break
                 if message == self.eof:
-                    pipe.close()
-                    pipe = self._open()
+                    self._open().close()
                     continue
                 self._message_handler(message[:-1])