diff --git a/tea.go b/tea.go
index c822402..b9fc96b 100644
--- a/tea.go
+++ b/tea.go
@@ -351,9 +351,6 @@ func (p *Program) StartReturningModel() (Model, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return p.initialModel, err
 		}
-
-		defer f.Close() //nolint:errcheck
-
 		p.input = f
 
 	case !p.startupOptions.has(withCustomInput):
@@ -373,12 +370,13 @@ func (p *Program) StartReturningModel() (Model, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return p.initialModel, err
 		}
-
-		defer f.Close() //nolint:errcheck
-
 		p.input = f
 	}
 
+	if f, ok := p.input.(io.ReadCloser); ok {
+		defer f.Close() //nolint:errcheck
+	}
+
 	// Handle signals.
 	if !p.startupOptions.has(withoutSignalHandler) {
 		handlers.add(p.handleSignals())