diff --git a/shotgun_api3/shotgun.py b/shotgun_api3/shotgun.py
index e3d1b8a5..33c048ad 100755
--- a/shotgun_api3/shotgun.py
+++ b/shotgun_api3/shotgun.py
@@ -1612,6 +1612,8 @@ def download_attachment(self, attachment=False, file_path=None,
             raise ShotgunFileDownloadError(err)
         else:
             if file_path:
+                if not fp.closed:
+                    fp.close()
                 return file_path
             else:
                 return attachment