global output
     save_output = output
-    outfile = open(os.path.join(g.destination_dir, fname), 'w')
+    outfile = open_output_file(fname)
     output = outfile.write
     if save_headers:
         output_headers(msg)
         output(msg.as_string())
 
 
+def open_output_file(filename):
+    return open(os.path.join(g.destination_dir, filename), 'w')
+
+
 class GlobalOptions:
     from m_lib.defenc import default_encoding
     recode_charset = 1 # recode charset of message body
         g.input_filename = '-'
         infile = sys.stdin
         if g.output_filename:
-            outfile = open(os.path.join(g.destination_dir, g.output_filename), 'w')
+            outfile = open_output_file(g.output_filename)
         else:
             g.output_filename = '-'
             outfile = sys.stdout
             infile = open(arguments[0], 'r')
         if la == 1:
             if g.output_filename:
-                outfile = open(os.path.join(g.destination_dir, g.output_filename), 'w')
+                outfile = open_output_file(g.output_filename)
             else:
                 g.output_filename = '-'
                 outfile = sys.stdout
                 outfile = sys.stdout
             else:
                 g.output_filename = arguments[1]
-                outfile = open(os.path.join(g.destination_dir, g.output_filename), 'w')
+                outfile = open_output_file(g.output_filename)
     else:
         usage(1, 'Too many arguments')