diff --git a/lang/basic/lib/file.c b/lang/basic/lib/file.c
index 1a1b6a6c..cbf6e323 100644
--- a/lang/basic/lib/file.c
+++ b/lang/basic/lib/file.c
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ int	reclen;
 			printf("file mode %s\n",mode->strval);
 			error(29);
 	}
-	_chanrd= _fdtable[_chann].fd= f;
+	_chanwr= _chanrd= _fdtable[_chann].fd= f;
 	_fdtable[_chann].fname= fname->strval;
 	_fdtable[_chann].reclength= reclen;
 	_fdtable[_chann].mode= m;