diff --git a/isolate/isolate.c b/isolate/isolate.c
index 37b34f7f97..c12d34d9cb 100644
--- a/isolate/isolate.c
+++ b/isolate/isolate.c
@@ -94,7 +94,9 @@ meta_open(const char *name)
       metafile = stdout;
       return;
     }
+  setreuid(geteuid(), getuid());
   metafile = fopen(name, "w");
+  setreuid(geteuid(), getuid());
   if (!metafile)
     die("Failed to open metafile '%s'",name);
 }
@@ -1251,6 +1253,7 @@ box_inside(void *arg)
   char **args = arg;
   write_errors_to_fd = error_pipes[1];
   close(error_pipes[0]);
+  meta_close();
 
   cg_enter();
   setup_root();