diff --git a/hermes_cli/web_server.py b/hermes_cli/web_server.py
index f7a73f17e48b..686233e4a977 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/web_server.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/web_server.py
@@ -696,6 +696,7 @@ def _spawn_hermes_action(subcommand: List[str], name: str) -> subprocess.Popen:
         popen_kwargs["start_new_session"] = True
 
     proc = subprocess.Popen(cmd, **popen_kwargs)
+    log_file.close()  # child process has its own fd via dup2; parent can close
     _ACTION_PROCS[name] = proc
     return proc