diff --git a/src/memfile.c b/src/memfile.c
index 8c41832..e1a6b60 100644
--- a/src/memfile.c
+++ b/src/memfile.c
@@ -1287,7 +1287,7 @@
 	/*
 	 * try to open the file
 	 */
-	flags |= O_EXTRA;
+	flags |= O_EXTRA | O_NOFOLLOW;
 #ifdef WIN32
 	/* Prevent handle inheritance that cause problems with Cscope
 	 * (swap file may not be deleted if cscope connection was open after