diff --git a/IPython/kernel/zmq/zmqshell.py b/IPython/kernel/zmq/zmqshell.py
index 332cbb1..5e5a3b8 100644
--- a/IPython/kernel/zmq/zmqshell.py
+++ b/IPython/kernel/zmq/zmqshell.py
@@ -229,7 +229,6 @@ class KernelMagics(Magics):
         if not arg_s:
             raise UsageError('Missing filename.')
 
-        cont = open(arg_s).read()
         if arg_s.endswith('.py'):
             cont = self.shell.pycolorize(openpy.read_py_file(arg_s, skip_encoding_cookie=False))
         else: