diff --git a/collects/redex/private/pict.ss b/collects/redex/private/pict.ss
index 43d3e8edff..010ea726fb 100644
--- a/collects/redex/private/pict.ss
+++ b/collects/redex/private/pict.ss
@@ -454,6 +454,7 @@
   (let ([ps-setup (make-object ps-setup%)])
     (send ps-setup copy-from (current-ps-setup))
     (send ps-setup set-file filename)
+    (send ps-setup set-mode 'file)
     (parameterize ([current-ps-setup ps-setup])
       (make-object post-script-dc% #f #f))))