diff --git a/src/files.c b/src/files.c
index 20bbd942..a776ff17 100644
--- a/src/files.c
+++ b/src/files.c
@@ -889,6 +889,8 @@ void read_file(FILE *f, int fd, const char *filename, bool undoable)
 #endif
 }
 
+RETSIGTYPE noop(int signal) { }
+
 /* Open the file with the given name.  If the file does not exist, display
  * "New File" if newfie is TRUE, and say "File not found" otherwise.
  * Return -2 if we say "New File", -1 if the file isn't opened, and the
@@ -928,12 +930,21 @@ int open_file(const char *filename, bool newfie, bool quiet, FILE **f)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	struct sigaction oldaction, newaction;
+
 	if (S_ISFIFO(fileinfo.st_mode))
 		statusbar(_("Reading from FIFO..."));
 
+	newaction.sa_handler = noop;
+	sigaction(SIGINT, &newaction, &oldaction);
+	enable_signals();
+
 	/* Try opening the file. */
 	fd = open(full_filename, O_RDONLY);
 
+	disable_signals();
+	sigaction(SIGINT, &oldaction, NULL);
+
 	if (fd == -1)
 		statusline(ALERT, _("Error reading %s: %s"), filename, strerror(errno));
 	else {
diff --git a/src/proto.h b/src/proto.h
index f13e520b..7d121452 100644
--- a/src/proto.h
+++ b/src/proto.h
@@ -425,6 +425,7 @@ void block_sigwinch(bool blockit);
 RETSIGTYPE handle_sigwinch(int signal);
 void regenerate_screen(void);
 void do_toggle(int flag);
+void disable_signals(void);
 void enable_signals(void);
 #endif
 void disable_flow_control(void);