diff --git a/loaders/loader_gif.c b/loaders/loader_gif.c
index fd5c1e9..81eec03 100644
--- a/loaders/loader_gif.c
+++ b/loaders/loader_gif.c
@@ -42,7 +42,11 @@ load(ImlibImage *im, ImlibProgressFunction progress, char progress_granularity,
   /* already data in this image - dont load it again */
   if (im->data)
       return 0;
+#ifndef __EMX__      
   fd = open(im->file, O_RDONLY);
+#else  
+  fd = open(im->file, O_RDONLY | O_BINARY);
+#endif  
   if (fd < 0)
       return 0;
   gif = DGifOpenFileHandle(fd);