diff --git a/src/files.c b/src/files.c
index a9d833bd..a0ccfbc8 100644
--- a/src/files.c
+++ b/src/files.c
@@ -1953,8 +1953,9 @@ bool write_file(const char *name, FILE *thefile, bool tmp,
 
 		unlink(tempname);
 	}
-#endif
 
+	if (!S_ISFIFO(st.st_mode))
+#endif
 	/* Ensure the data has reached the disk before reporting it as written. */
 	if (fflush(thefile) != 0 || fsync(fileno(thefile)) != 0) {
 		statusline(ALERT, _("Error writing %s: %s"), realname, strerror(errno));