diff --git a/packages/playwright-core/src/server/chromium/crProtocolHelper.ts b/packages/playwright-core/src/server/chromium/crProtocolHelper.ts
index cd45d5d13e76f..deb0158f5f2fe 100644
--- a/packages/playwright-core/src/server/chromium/crProtocolHelper.ts
+++ b/packages/playwright-core/src/server/chromium/crProtocolHelper.ts
@@ -47,13 +47,16 @@ export async function saveProtocolStream(client: CRSession, handle: string, path
   let eof = false;
   await mkdirIfNeeded(path);
   const fd = await fs.promises.open(path, 'w');
-  while (!eof) {
-    const response = await client.send('IO.read', { handle });
-    eof = response.eof;
-    const buf = Buffer.from(response.data, response.base64Encoded ? 'base64' : undefined);
-    await fd.write(buf);
+  try {
+    while (!eof) {
+      const response = await client.send('IO.read', { handle });
+      eof = response.eof;
+      const buf = Buffer.from(response.data, response.base64Encoded ? 'base64' : undefined);
+      await fd.write(buf);
+    }
+  } finally {
+    await fd.close().catch(() => {});
   }
-  await fd.close();
   await client.send('IO.close', { handle });
 }