diff --git a/Lib/test/test_file.py b/Lib/test/test_file.py
index 2d791a55c07..96f6da20235 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_file.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_file.py
@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ class AutoFileTests(unittest.TestCase):
         except:
             self.assertEquals(self.f.__exit__(*sys.exc_info()), None)
 
+    def testReadWhenWriting(self):
+        self.assertRaises(IOError, self.f.read)
 
 class OtherFileTests(unittest.TestCase):
 
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 4eba4f6d2a2..a305843c448 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ What's New in Python 2.6.2
 Core and Builtins
 -----------------
 
+- Added test case to ensure attempts to read from a file opened for writing
+  fail.
+
 - Issue #4597: Fixed several opcodes that weren't always propagating
   exceptions.