diff --git a/tests/io/open_append.py b/tests/io/open_append.py
index fb76d09c42..da420a16ea 100644
--- a/tests/io/open_append.py
+++ b/tests/io/open_append.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ if not hasattr(os, "unlink"):
     print("SKIP")
     sys.exit()
 
+# cleanup in case testfile exists
 try:
     os.unlink("testfile")
 except OSError:
@@ -29,3 +30,9 @@ f.close()
 f = open("testfile")
 print(f.read())
 f.close()
+
+# cleanup
+try:
+    os.unlink("testfile")
+except OSError:
+    pass