diff --git a/kittens/choose_fonts/backend.py b/kittens/choose_fonts/backend.py
index 73b30969b..f4adfe41f 100644
--- a/kittens/choose_fonts/backend.py
+++ b/kittens/choose_fonts/backend.py
@@ -39,8 +39,11 @@ def setup_debug_print() -> bool:
             fd = int(os.environ['KITTY_STDIO_FORWARDED'])
         except Exception:
             return False
-        sys.stdout = open(fd, 'w', closefd=False)
-        return True
+        try:
+            sys.stdout = open(fd, 'w', closefd=False)
+            return True
+        except OSError:
+            return False
     return False