diff --git a/tools/tht/internal/backup/preflight_windows_test.go b/tools/tht/internal/backup/preflight_windows_test.go
index 287d1733..770673c6 100644
--- a/tools/tht/internal/backup/preflight_windows_test.go
+++ b/tools/tht/internal/backup/preflight_windows_test.go
@@ -80,6 +80,11 @@ func TestStageArchiveRetainsTwoFilesThroughOneWindowsRootCapability(t *testing.T
 		_ = recoveryStage.Close()
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	if err := recoveryStage.file.Close(); err != nil {
+		_ = recoveryStage.Close()
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	recoveryStage.file = nil
 	if _, found, err := recoveryStage.parent.ReadRegular(recoveryStage.name, 1<<20); err != nil || !found {
 		_ = recoveryStage.Close()
 		t.Fatalf("recovery stage after candidate cleanup = found:%t err:%v", found, err)