diff --git a/src/editor/core/controller.ts b/src/editor/core/controller.ts
index 723a27d5a..18ffcb05d 100644
--- a/src/editor/core/controller.ts
+++ b/src/editor/core/controller.ts
@@ -883,8 +883,18 @@ export class EditorController implements SlotHost {
     return generation;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * A decision to leave that was authorized, but whose project change or window close never
+   * came (the window stayed with its project): released, so the window can open files and
+   * be left again instead of refusing both until it is restarted.
+   */
+  private releaseStaleClose() {
+    if (this.closeSession && this.closeCommitted && !useProject.getState().opening) this.closeSession.cancel();
+  }
+
   private checkOpening(generation: { project: number; admission: number }) {
     if (generation.project !== this.projectGeneration) throw new Error("The project changed while opening the editor");
+    this.releaseStaleClose();
     if (generation.admission !== this.admissionGeneration || this.closeSession || this.closeRequests)
       throw new Error("The project is closing");
   }
@@ -1612,6 +1622,7 @@ export class EditorController implements SlotHost {
     ++this.admissionGeneration;
     ++this.closeRequests;
     return this.enqueueRemoval(async () => {
+      this.releaseStaleClose();
       if (this.closeSession) throw new Error("An editor close decision is already pending");
       const generation = this.projectGeneration;
       const documents = [...customDocuments(useTabs.getState(), useContributions.getState().editorKinds).values()];
diff --git a/src/editor/core/customDocuments.test.ts b/src/editor/core/customDocuments.test.ts
index b9f8a6993..cb56d13b7 100644
--- a/src/editor/core/customDocuments.test.ts
+++ b/src/editor/core/customDocuments.test.ts
@@ -631,6 +631,30 @@ describe("custom editor document lifetime", () => {
     expect(b.saved).toBe("edited");
   });
 
+  it("releases an authorized decision to leave when the project never changed", async () => {
+    const doc = await open();
+    const session = await ctrl.prepareClose();
+    session.commit();
+    expect(doc.frozen).toBe(true);
+    // The window stayed with its project: files open again, and it can be left again.
+    await open("b");
+    expect(findTab(useTabs.getState(), input("b").key)).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(doc.frozen).toBe(false);
+    const again = await ctrl.prepareClose();
+    expect(() => session.commit()).toThrow();
+    again.cancel();
+  });
+
+  it("keeps an authorized decision while the project it leaves for is opening", async () => {
+    await open();
+    const session = await ctrl.prepareClose();
+    session.commit();
+    useProject.setState({ opening: true });
+    await expect(open("b")).rejects.toThrow("The project is closing");
+    await expect(ctrl.prepareClose()).rejects.toThrow("already pending");
+    useProject.setState({ opening: false });
+  });
+
   it("rejects authorization from a cancelled project close session", async () => {
     const doc = await open();
     const session = await ctrl.prepareClose();