diff --git a/Lib/test/test_file.py b/Lib/test/test_file.py
index 830871098e1..f678df6f370 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_file.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_file.py
@@ -116,6 +116,8 @@ 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 f7ff496ca2f..b581a7888ec 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@ What's New in Python 2.5.4?
 
 *Release date: XX-XXX-2009*
 
+Core and builtins
+-----------------
+
+- Added test case to ensure attempts to read from a file opened for writing
+  fail.
+
 
 What's New in Python 2.5.3?
 ===========================