diff --git a/networking/nc.c b/networking/nc.c
index 58cd39fac..bf155b3b1 100644
--- a/networking/nc.c
+++ b/networking/nc.c
@@ -175,8 +175,11 @@ int nc_main(int argc, char **argv)
 						exit(0);
 					ofd = STDOUT_FILENO;
 				} else {
-					if (nread == 0)
-						shutdown(sfd, 1);
+					if (nread <= 0) {
+						shutdown(sfd, 1 /* send */ );
+						close(STDIN_FILENO);
+						FD_CLR(STDIN_FILENO, &readfds);
+					}
 					ofd = sfd;
 				}