diff --git a/code/cgame/cg_main.c b/code/cgame/cg_main.c
index 8b3403f2..b923f816 100644
--- a/code/cgame/cg_main.c
+++ b/code/cgame/cg_main.c
@@ -1447,8 +1447,8 @@ void CG_LoadMenus(const char *menuFile) {
 	}
 
 	if ( len >= MAX_MENUDEFFILE ) {
-		trap_Error( va( S_COLOR_RED "menu file too large: %s is %i, max allowed is %i", menuFile, len, MAX_MENUDEFFILE ) );
 		trap_FS_FCloseFile( f );
+		trap_Error( va( S_COLOR_RED "menu file too large: %s is %i, max allowed is %i", menuFile, len, MAX_MENUDEFFILE ) );
 		return;
 	}