diff --git a/src/uu/split/src/split.rs b/src/uu/split/src/split.rs
index c40a6a07ef0..fcab096e2e0 100644
--- a/src/uu/split/src/split.rs
+++ b/src/uu/split/src/split.rs
@@ -1028,14 +1028,16 @@ impl ManageOutFiles for OutFiles {
             // Could have hit system limit for open files.
             // Try to close one previously instantiated writer first
             for (i, out_file) in self.iter_mut().enumerate() {
-                if i != idx && out_file.maybe_writer.is_some() {
-                    out_file.maybe_writer.as_mut().unwrap().flush()?;
-                    out_file.maybe_writer = None;
-                    out_file.is_new = false;
-                    count += 1;
-
-                    // And then try to instantiate the writer again
-                    continue 'loop1;
+                if i != idx {
+                    if let Some(writer) = out_file.maybe_writer.as_mut() {
+                        writer.flush()?;
+                        out_file.maybe_writer = None;
+                        out_file.is_new = false;
+                        count += 1;
+
+                        // And then try to instantiate the writer again
+                        continue 'loop1;
+                    }
                 }
             }