diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index d1ef85171..19461bfdd 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ Bugs fixed
 * #4096: C++, don't crash when using the wrong role type. Thanks to mitya57.
 * #4070, #4111: crashes when the warning message contains format strings (again)
 * #4108: Search word highlighting breaks SVG images
+* #3692: Unable to build HTML if writing .buildinfo failed
 
 Testing
 --------
diff --git a/sphinx/builders/html.py b/sphinx/builders/html.py
index 90e4574cc..ead51a983 100644
--- a/sphinx/builders/html.py
+++ b/sphinx/builders/html.py
@@ -776,12 +776,15 @@ class StandaloneHTMLBuilder(Builder):
     def write_buildinfo(self):
         # type: () -> None
         # write build info file
-        with open(path.join(self.outdir, '.buildinfo'), 'w') as fp:
-            fp.write('# Sphinx build info version 1\n'
-                     '# This file hashes the configuration used when building'
-                     ' these files. When it is not found, a full rebuild will'
-                     ' be done.\nconfig: %s\ntags: %s\n' %
-                     (self.config_hash, self.tags_hash))
+        try:
+            with open(path.join(self.outdir, '.buildinfo'), 'w') as fp:
+                fp.write('# Sphinx build info version 1\n'
+                         '# This file hashes the configuration used when building'
+                         ' these files. When it is not found, a full rebuild will'
+                         ' be done.\nconfig: %s\ntags: %s\n' %
+                         (self.config_hash, self.tags_hash))
+        except IOError as exc:
+            logger.warning('Failed to write build info file: %r', exc)
 
     def cleanup(self):
         # type: () -> None