diff --git a/common/geometry/shape_file_io.cpp b/common/geometry/shape_file_io.cpp
index a87fd744fb..6bcbafb444 100644
--- a/common/geometry/shape_file_io.cpp
+++ b/common/geometry/shape_file_io.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,13 @@
 #include <geometry/shape.h>
 #include <geometry/shape_file_io.h>
 
+SHAPE_FILE_IO::SHAPE_FILE_IO()
+{
+    m_groupActive = false;
+    m_mode = IOM_WRITE;
+    m_file = stdout;
+}
+
 SHAPE_FILE_IO::SHAPE_FILE_IO( const std::string& aFilename, SHAPE_FILE_IO::IO_MODE aMode )
 {
     m_groupActive = false;
@@ -61,7 +68,10 @@ SHAPE_FILE_IO::~SHAPE_FILE_IO()
     if( m_groupActive && m_mode != IOM_READ )
         fprintf( m_file, "endgroup\n" );
 
-    fclose( m_file );
+    if ( m_file != stdout )
+    {
+        fclose( m_file );
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -143,4 +153,4 @@ void SHAPE_FILE_IO::Write( const SHAPE* aShape, const std::string aName )
 
     fprintf( m_file, "shape %d %s %s\n", aShape->Type(), aName.c_str(), sh.c_str() );
     fflush( m_file );
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/include/geometry/shape_file_io.h b/include/geometry/shape_file_io.h
index 78784d74ea..ce7bfa7906 100644
--- a/include/geometry/shape_file_io.h
+++ b/include/geometry/shape_file_io.h
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ class SHAPE_FILE_IO
             IOM_WRITE
         };
 
+        SHAPE_FILE_IO();
         SHAPE_FILE_IO( const std::string& aFilename, IO_MODE aMode = IOM_READ );
         ~SHAPE_FILE_IO();