if (defined $self->pathname) {
        $self->io_handle(IO::File->new);
        $self->io_handle->open($self->pathname, @args) 
          or $self->throw($self->open_msg);
    }
    elsif (defined $self->_handle and
           not $self->io_handle->opened   # <-- line 88
          ) {
        # XXX Not tested
        $self->io_handle->fdopen($self->_handle, @args);
    }

##</code><code>##

    ...
    elsif (defined $self->_handle) {
        if ($self->_handle->opened) {  # already open ? --> set/use it
            $self->io_handle($self->_handle);
        } else {                       # not open       --> open it
            # XXX Not tested
            $self->io_handle->fdopen($self->_handle, @args);
        }
    }