diff --git a/src/json.hpp b/src/json.hpp
index 81dc5f8fa..8dfdbb85e 100644
--- a/src/json.hpp
+++ b/src/json.hpp
@@ -7597,6 +7597,12 @@ class basic_json
         explicit lexer(std::istream& s)
             : m_stream(&s), m_line_buffer()
         {
+            // immediately abort if stream is erroneous
+            if (s.fail())
+            {
+                throw std::invalid_argument("stream error: " +  std::string(strerror(errno)));
+            }
+
             // fill buffer
             fill_line_buffer();
 
diff --git a/src/json.hpp.re2c b/src/json.hpp.re2c
index 3b2c75001..c9c1f2e7d 100644
--- a/src/json.hpp.re2c
+++ b/src/json.hpp.re2c
@@ -7597,6 +7597,12 @@ class basic_json
         explicit lexer(std::istream& s)
             : m_stream(&s), m_line_buffer()
         {
+            // immediately abort if stream is erroneous
+            if (s.fail())
+            {
+                throw std::invalid_argument("stream error: " +  std::string(strerror(errno)));
+            }
+
             // fill buffer
             fill_line_buffer();
 
diff --git a/test/src/unit-regression.cpp b/test/src/unit-regression.cpp
index cda578abf..50cb190fa 100644
--- a/test/src/unit-regression.cpp
+++ b/test/src/unit-regression.cpp
@@ -496,6 +496,12 @@ TEST_CASE("regression tests")
         CHECK(j == json());
     }
 
+    SECTION("issue #366 - json::parse on failed stream gets stuck")
+    {
+        std::ifstream f("file_not_found.json");
+        CHECK_THROWS_AS(json::parse(f), std::invalid_argument);
+    }
+
     SECTION("issue #367 - calling stream at EOF")
     {
         std::stringstream ss;