diff --git a/artiq/browser/files.py b/artiq/browser/files.py
index f3bf22051..77caf6202 100644
--- a/artiq/browser/files.py
+++ b/artiq/browser/files.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ def open_h5(info):
         return
     try:
         return h5py.File(info.filePath(), "r")
+    except OSError:  # e.g. file being written (see #470)
+        return
     except:
         logger.warning("unable to read HDF5 file %s", info.filePath(),
                        exc_info=True)