diff --git a/src/packet_writer.cpp b/src/packet_writer.cpp
index 7e79a10..f0072d8 100644
--- a/src/packet_writer.cpp
+++ b/src/packet_writer.cpp
@@ -86,8 +86,9 @@ void PacketWriter::init(const string& file_name, int link_type) {
     }
     dumper_ = pcap_dump_open(handle_, file_name.c_str());
     if (!dumper_) {
+        string error(pcap_geterr(handle_));
         pcap_close(handle_);
-        throw pcap_error(pcap_geterr(handle_));
+        throw pcap_error(error);
     }
 }