diff --git a/src/dump.cpp b/src/dump.cpp
index a354be4f04..22750ed05c 100644
--- a/src/dump.cpp
+++ b/src/dump.cpp
@@ -332,6 +332,7 @@ void Dump::write()
   // if file per timestep, open new file
 
   if (multifile) openfile();
+  if (fp) clearerr(fp);
 
   // simulation box bounds
 
@@ -519,6 +520,8 @@ void Dump::write()
 
   if (filewriter && fp != nullptr) write_footer();
 
+  if (fp && ferror(fp)) error->one(FLERR,"Error writing dump {}: {}", id, utils::getsyserror());
+
   // if file per timestep, close file if I am filewriter
 
   if (multifile) {