diff --git a/django_mailbox/__init__.py b/django_mailbox/__init__.py
index a748043..433bdb8 100644
--- a/django_mailbox/__init__.py
+++ b/django_mailbox/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = '4.3.3'
+__version__ = '4.3.4'
diff --git a/django_mailbox/models.py b/django_mailbox/models.py
index 2f0819f..9344754 100644
--- a/django_mailbox/models.py
+++ b/django_mailbox/models.py
@@ -621,6 +621,7 @@ class Message(models.Model):
     def get_email_object(self):
         """ Returns an `email.message.Message` instance for this message."""
         if self.eml:
+            self.eml.open()
             body = self.eml.file.read()
         else:
             body = self.get_body()