diff --git a/server/server.py b/server/server.py
index aa481045..f49a967d 100644
--- a/server/server.py
+++ b/server/server.py
@@ -326,15 +326,18 @@ class Server:
 			else:
 				# Target should be a file
 				try:
-					open(target, "a")
+					open(target, "a").close()
 					hdlr = logging.FileHandler(target)
 				except IOError:
 					logSys.error("Unable to log to " + target)
 					logSys.info("Logging to previous target " + self.__logTarget)
 					return False
 			self.__logTarget = target
-			# Remove previous handler
-			logging.getLogger("fail2ban").handlers = []
+			# Removes previous handlers
+			for handler in logging.getLogger("fail2ban").handlers:
+				# Closes the handler.
+				handler.close()
+				logging.getLogger("fail2ban").removeHandler(handler)
 			# set a format which is simpler for console use
 			formatter = logging.Formatter("%(asctime)s %(name)-16s: %(levelname)-6s %(message)s")
 			# tell the handler to use this format