diff --git a/docbow_project/settings.py b/docbow_project/settings.py
index 1a4e5fc..20eed4b 100644
--- a/docbow_project/settings.py
+++ b/docbow_project/settings.py
@@ -242,4 +242,5 @@ EXTRA_SENDERS = False
 
 local_settings_file = os.environ.get('DOCBOW_SETTINGS_FILE', 'local_settings.py')
 if os.path.exists(local_settings_file):
-    exec(open(local_settings_file).read())
+    with open(local_settings_file) as f:
+        exec(f.read())