diff --git a/doc/Changelog b/doc/Changelog
index 3e8f975..8d8c811 100644
--- a/doc/Changelog
+++ b/doc/Changelog
@@ -12,6 +12,12 @@ sysvinit (2.90) UNRELEASED; urgency=low
       longer waits if we slept past the time we should have shutdown.
       Accurate to the nearest minute.
       Closes Savannah bug #36279.
+    * Added document article and manual page for the initctl (/run/initctl)
+      named pipe. Makes it easier for people to communicate with and
+      extend communication to init.
+    * Added check that named pipe is open before trying to close it
+      when something goes wrong or we receive SIGUSER1. Avoids potential
+      crash if we receive SIGUSR1 while pipe is not open.
       
 
 sysvinit (2.89) world; urgency=low
diff --git a/src/init.c b/src/init.c
index 4c785ce..feb384d 100644
--- a/src/init.c
+++ b/src/init.c
@@ -2165,13 +2165,10 @@ void re_exec(void)
 		initlog(L_CO, "Attempt to re-exec failed");
 	}
 
-	/* 
-	 * It's a backup day today, so I'm pissed off.  Being a BOFH, however, 
-	 * does have it's advantages...
-	 */
 	fail_cancel();
-	close(pipe_fd);
-	pipe_fd = -1;
+	if (pipe_fd >= 0) 
+          close(pipe_fd);
+   	pipe_fd = -1;
 	DELSET(got_signals, SIGCHLD);
 	DELSET(got_signals, SIGHUP);
 	DELSET(got_signals, SIGUSR1);
@@ -2680,7 +2677,8 @@ void process_signals()
 	 *	SIGUSR1 means close and reopen /run/initctl
 	 */
 	INITDBG(L_VB, "got SIGUSR1");
-	close(pipe_fd);
+	if (pipe_fd)
+           close(pipe_fd);
 	pipe_fd = -1;
 	DELSET(got_signals, SIGUSR1);
   }