diff --git a/VERSIONS b/VERSIONS
index dbb976edb..cb9ad4c25 100644
--- a/VERSIONS
+++ b/VERSIONS
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 ChucK VERSIONS log
 ------------------
 
+1.5.4.1
+=======
+(patch release)
+- (fixed, linux) a crash when the OTF handles an OTF command (add or replace)
+
+
 1.5.4.0 (November 2024)
 =======
 \/\/\/\/\/
diff --git a/src/core/chuck_otf.cpp b/src/core/chuck_otf.cpp
index 18eab21f8..432445143 100644
--- a/src/core/chuck_otf.cpp
+++ b/src/core/chuck_otf.cpp
@@ -294,7 +294,8 @@ t_CKUINT otf_process_msg( Chuck_VM * vm, Chuck_Compiler * compiler,
 
 cleanup:
     // close file handle
-    if( fd ) fclose( fd );
+    // if( fd ) fclose( fd );
+    // 1.5.4.1 (ge) not needed, file handle should be cleaned up as part of compile-target
 
     return ret;
 }