diff --git a/src/tar.c b/src/tar.c
index 90f65922..0b17359e 100644
--- a/src/tar.c
+++ b/src/tar.c
@@ -2302,9 +2302,6 @@ main (int argc, char **argv)
   /* Make sure we have first three descriptors available */
   stdopen ();
 
-  /* Close all inherited open descriptors, except for the first three */
-  closeopen ();
-
   /* Pre-allocate a few structures.  */
 
   allocated_archive_names = 10;
@@ -2322,6 +2319,10 @@ main (int argc, char **argv)
   /* Decode options.  */
 
   decode_options (argc, argv);
+
+  /* Close all inherited open descriptors, except for the first three */
+  closeopen ();
+
   name_init ();
 
   /* Main command execution.  */