diff --git a/tests/test_framework/utils.py b/tests/test_framework/utils.py
index 7f961038b..37f588e3f 100644
--- a/tests/test_framework/utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_framework/utils.py
@@ -360,7 +360,8 @@ def tail(self):
                 self.logs_cond.notifyAll()
         self.running = False
         self.proc.stdout.close()
-        self.proc.stderr.close()
+        if self.proc.stderr is not None:
+            self.proc.stderr.close()
 
     def is_in_log(self, regex, start=0):
         """Look for `regex` in the logs."""