diff --git a/endpoint/endpoint.go b/endpoint/endpoint.go
index 4bd769b..0003e82 100644
--- a/endpoint/endpoint.go
+++ b/endpoint/endpoint.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ package endpoint
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"path"
 	"sync"
 
@@ -241,7 +242,7 @@ func sendArgsFromPDUAndValidateExistsAndGetVersion(ctx context.Context, fs strin
 	return version, nil
 }
 
-func (s *Sender) Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, zfs.StreamCopier, error) {
+func (s *Sender) Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, io.ReadCloser, error) {
 
 	_, err := s.filterCheckFS(r.Filesystem)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -339,11 +340,11 @@ func (s *Sender) Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, zfs.St
 
 	// step holds & replication cursor released / moved forward in s.SendCompleted => s.moveCursorAndReleaseSendHolds
 
-	streamCopier, err := zfs.ZFSSend(ctx, sendArgs)
+	sendStream, err := zfs.ZFSSend(ctx, sendArgs)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, errors.Wrap(err, "zfs send failed")
 	}
-	return res, streamCopier, nil
+	return res, sendStream, nil
 }
 
 func (p *Sender) SendCompleted(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendCompletedReq) (*pdu.SendCompletedRes, error) {
@@ -476,7 +477,7 @@ func (p *Sender) ReplicationCursor(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReplicationCurs
 	return &pdu.ReplicationCursorRes{Result: &pdu.ReplicationCursorRes_Guid{Guid: cursor.Guid}}, nil
 }
 
-func (p *Sender) Receive(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.ReceiveReq, receive zfs.StreamCopier) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
+func (p *Sender) Receive(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.ReceiveReq, _ io.ReadCloser) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("sender does not implement Receive()")
 }
 
@@ -680,13 +681,13 @@ func (s *Receiver) ReplicationCursor(context.Context, *pdu.ReplicationCursorReq)
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("ReplicationCursor not implemented for Receiver")
 }
 
-func (s *Receiver) Send(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, zfs.StreamCopier, error) {
+func (s *Receiver) Send(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, io.ReadCloser, error) {
 	return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("receiver does not implement Send()")
 }
 
 var maxConcurrentZFSRecvSemaphore = semaphore.New(envconst.Int64("ZREPL_ENDPOINT_MAX_CONCURRENT_RECV", 10))
 
-func (s *Receiver) Receive(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, receive zfs.StreamCopier) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
+func (s *Receiver) Receive(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, receive io.ReadCloser) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
 	getLogger(ctx).Debug("incoming Receive")
 	defer receive.Close()
 
diff --git a/platformtest/tests/helpers.go b/platformtest/tests/helpers.go
index bb7f516..e1394b0 100644
--- a/platformtest/tests/helpers.go
+++ b/platformtest/tests/helpers.go
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ func makeResumeSituation(ctx *platformtest.Context, src dummySnapshotSituation,
 		return situation
 	}
 
-	limitedCopier := zfs.NewReadCloserCopier(limitio.ReadCloser(copier, src.dummyDataLen/2))
+	limitedCopier := limitio.ReadCloser(copier, src.dummyDataLen/2)
 	defer limitedCopier.Close()
 
 	require.NotNil(ctx, sendArgs.To)
diff --git a/platformtest/tests/sendArgsValidation.go b/platformtest/tests/sendArgsValidation.go
index 91ee6d9..416c046 100644
--- a/platformtest/tests/sendArgsValidation.go
+++ b/platformtest/tests/sendArgsValidation.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func SendArgsValidationEncryptedSendOfUnencryptedDatasetForbidden(ctx *platformt
 		ResumeToken: "",
 	}.Validate(ctx)
 
-	var stream *zfs.ReadCloserCopier
+	var stream *zfs.SendStream
 	if err == nil {
 		stream, err = zfs.ZFSSend(ctx, sendArgs) // no shadow
 		if err == nil {
diff --git a/replication/logic/replication_logic.go b/replication/logic/replication_logic.go
index 6de7a8a..cf56990 100644
--- a/replication/logic/replication_logic.go
+++ b/replication/logic/replication_logic.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ type Sender interface {
 	// If a non-nil io.ReadCloser is returned, it is guaranteed to be closed before
 	// any next call to the parent github.com/zrepl/zrepl/replication.Endpoint.
 	// If the send request is for dry run the io.ReadCloser will be nil
-	Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, zfs.StreamCopier, error)
+	Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, io.ReadCloser, error)
 	SendCompleted(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendCompletedReq) (*pdu.SendCompletedRes, error)
 	ReplicationCursor(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReplicationCursorReq) (*pdu.ReplicationCursorRes, error)
 }
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ type Receiver interface {
 	Endpoint
 	// Receive sends r and sendStream (the latter containing a ZFS send stream)
 	// to the parent github.com/zrepl/zrepl/replication.Endpoint.
-	Receive(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, receive zfs.StreamCopier) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error)
+	Receive(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, receive io.ReadCloser) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error)
 }
 
 type PlannerPolicy struct {
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ type Step struct {
 
 	// byteCounter is nil initially, and set later in Step.doReplication
 	// => concurrent read of that pointer from Step.ReportInfo must be protected
-	byteCounter    bytecounter.StreamCopier
+	byteCounter    bytecounter.ReadCloser
 	byteCounterMtx chainlock.L
 }
 
@@ -606,19 +607,19 @@ func (s *Step) doReplication(ctx context.Context) error {
 	sr := s.buildSendRequest(false)
 
 	log.Debug("initiate send request")
-	sres, sstreamCopier, err := s.sender.Send(ctx, sr)
+	sres, stream, err := s.sender.Send(ctx, sr)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.WithError(err).Error("send request failed")
 		return err
 	}
-	if sstreamCopier == nil {
+	if stream == nil {
 		err := errors.New("send request did not return a stream, broken endpoint implementation")
 		return err
 	}
-	defer sstreamCopier.Close()
+	defer stream.Close()
 
 	// Install a byte counter to track progress + for status report
-	byteCountingStream := bytecounter.NewStreamCopier(sstreamCopier)
+	byteCountingStream := bytecounter.NewReadCloser(stream)
 	s.byteCounterMtx.Lock()
 	s.byteCounter = byteCountingStream
 	s.byteCounterMtx.Unlock()
diff --git a/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_client.go b/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_client.go
index 6cc049b..4f0cb43 100644
--- a/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_client.go
+++ b/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_client.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
@@ -11,7 +12,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/replication/logic/pdu"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/stream"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/transport"
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
 )
 
 type Client struct {
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func NewClient(connecter transport.Connecter, log Logger) *Client {
 	}
 }
 
-func (c *Client) send(ctx context.Context, conn *stream.Conn, endpoint string, req proto.Message, streamCopier zfs.StreamCopier) error {
+func (c *Client) send(ctx context.Context, conn *stream.Conn, endpoint string, req proto.Message, stream io.ReadCloser) error {
 
 	var buf bytes.Buffer
 	_, memErr := buf.WriteString(endpoint)
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ func (c *Client) send(ctx context.Context, conn *stream.Conn, endpoint string, r
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if streamCopier != nil {
-		return conn.SendStream(ctx, streamCopier, ZFSStream)
+	if stream != nil {
+		return conn.SendStream(ctx, stream, ZFSStream)
 	} else {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ func (c *Client) putWire(conn *stream.Conn) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (c *Client) ReqSend(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, zfs.StreamCopier, error) {
+func (c *Client) ReqSend(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, io.ReadCloser, error) {
 	conn, err := c.getWire(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
@@ -130,16 +130,19 @@ func (c *Client) ReqSend(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, z
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 
-	var copier zfs.StreamCopier = nil
+	var stream io.ReadCloser
 	if !req.DryRun {
 		putWireOnReturn = false
-		copier = &streamCopier{streamConn: conn, closeStreamOnClose: true}
+		stream, err = conn.ReadStream(ZFSStream, true) // no shadow
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
 	}
 
-	return &res, copier, nil
+	return &res, stream, nil
 }
 
-func (c *Client) ReqRecv(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, streamCopier zfs.StreamCopier) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
+func (c *Client) ReqRecv(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, stream io.ReadCloser) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
 
 	defer c.log.Debug("ReqRecv returns")
 	conn, err := c.getWire(ctx)
@@ -166,7 +169,7 @@ func (c *Client) ReqRecv(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, streamCopier
 
 	sendErrChan := make(chan error)
 	go func() {
-		if err := c.send(ctx, conn, EndpointRecv, req, streamCopier); err != nil {
+		if err := c.send(ctx, conn, EndpointRecv, req, stream); err != nil {
 			sendErrChan <- err
 		} else {
 			sendErrChan <- nil
diff --git a/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_server.go b/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_server.go
index fbd1a95..aecaf96 100644
--- a/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_server.go
+++ b/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_server.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 
 	"github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
 
@@ -11,7 +12,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/replication/logic/pdu"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/stream"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/transport"
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
 )
 
 // WireInterceptor has a chance to exchange the context and connection on each client connection.
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ type WireInterceptor func(ctx context.Context, rawConn *transport.AuthConn) (con
 type Handler interface {
 	// Send handles a SendRequest.
 	// The returned io.ReadCloser is allowed to be nil, for example if the requested Send is a dry-run.
-	Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, zfs.StreamCopier, error)
+	Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, io.ReadCloser, error)
 	// Receive handles a ReceiveRequest.
 	// It is guaranteed that Server calls Receive with a stream that holds the IdleConnTimeout
 	// configured in ServerConfig.Shared.IdleConnTimeout.
-	Receive(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.ReceiveReq, receive zfs.StreamCopier) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error)
+	Receive(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.ReceiveReq, receive io.ReadCloser) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error)
 	// PingDataconn handles a PingReq
 	PingDataconn(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.PingReq) (*pdu.PingRes, error)
 }
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func (s *Server) serveConn(nc *transport.AuthConn) {
 	s.log.WithField("endpoint", endpoint).Debug("calling handler")
 
 	var res proto.Message
-	var sendStream zfs.StreamCopier
+	var sendStream io.ReadCloser
 	var handlerErr error
 	switch endpoint {
 	case EndpointSend:
@@ -127,7 +127,12 @@ func (s *Server) serveConn(nc *transport.AuthConn) {
 			s.log.WithError(err).Error("cannot unmarshal receive request")
 			return
 		}
-		res, handlerErr = s.h.Receive(ctx, &req, &streamCopier{streamConn: c, closeStreamOnClose: false}) // SHADOWING
+		stream, err := c.ReadStream(ZFSStream, false)
+		if err != nil {
+			s.log.WithError(err).Error("cannot open stream in receive request")
+			return
+		}
+		res, handlerErr = s.h.Receive(ctx, &req, stream) // SHADOWING
 	case EndpointPing:
 		var req pdu.PingReq
 		if err := proto.Unmarshal(reqStructured, &req); err != nil {
diff --git a/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_shared.go b/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_shared.go
index 96e2fd8..ab5435f 100644
--- a/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_shared.go
+++ b/rpc/dataconn/dataconn_shared.go
@@ -1,12 +1,7 @@
 package dataconn
 
 import (
-	"io"
-	"sync"
 	"time"
-
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/stream"
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -39,33 +34,3 @@ const (
 	responseHeaderHandlerOk          = "HANDLER OK\n"
 	responseHeaderHandlerErrorPrefix = "HANDLER ERROR:\n"
 )
-
-type streamCopier struct {
-	mtx                sync.Mutex
-	used               bool
-	streamConn         *stream.Conn
-	closeStreamOnClose bool
-}
-
-// WriteStreamTo implements zfs.StreamCopier
-func (s *streamCopier) WriteStreamTo(w io.Writer) zfs.StreamCopierError {
-	s.mtx.Lock()
-	defer s.mtx.Unlock()
-	if s.used {
-		panic("streamCopier used multiple times")
-	}
-	s.used = true
-	return s.streamConn.ReadStreamInto(w, ZFSStream)
-}
-
-// Close implements zfs.StreamCopier
-func (s *streamCopier) Close() error {
-	// only record the close here, what we do actually depends on whether
-	// the streamCopier is instantiated server-side or client-side
-	s.mtx.Lock()
-	defer s.mtx.Unlock()
-	if s.closeStreamOnClose {
-		return s.streamConn.Close()
-	}
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/rpc/dataconn/microbenchmark/microbenchmark.go b/rpc/dataconn/microbenchmark/microbenchmark.go
index 6a762ed..d8708c6 100644
--- a/rpc/dataconn/microbenchmark/microbenchmark.go
+++ b/rpc/dataconn/microbenchmark/microbenchmark.go
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/timeoutconn"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/transport"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/util/devnoop"
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
 )
 
 func orDie(err error) {
@@ -42,23 +41,9 @@ type readerStreamCopier struct{ io.Reader }
 
 func (readerStreamCopier) Close() error { return nil }
 
-type readerStreamCopierErr struct {
-	error
-}
-
-func (readerStreamCopierErr) IsReadError() bool  { return false }
-func (readerStreamCopierErr) IsWriteError() bool { return true }
-
-func (c readerStreamCopier) WriteStreamTo(w io.Writer) zfs.StreamCopierError {
-	var buf [1 << 21]byte
-	_, err := io.CopyBuffer(w, c.Reader, buf[:])
-	// always assume write error
-	return readerStreamCopierErr{err}
-}
-
 type devNullHandler struct{}
 
-func (devNullHandler) Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, zfs.StreamCopier, error) {
+func (devNullHandler) Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, io.ReadCloser, error) {
 	var res pdu.SendRes
 	if args.devnoopReader {
 		return &res, readerStreamCopier{devnoop.Get()}, nil
@@ -67,12 +52,12 @@ func (devNullHandler) Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, z
 	}
 }
 
-func (devNullHandler) Receive(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.ReceiveReq, stream zfs.StreamCopier) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
+func (devNullHandler) Receive(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.ReceiveReq, stream io.ReadCloser) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
 	var out io.Writer = os.Stdout
 	if args.devnoopWriter {
 		out = devnoop.Get()
 	}
-	err := stream.WriteStreamTo(out)
+	_, err := io.Copy(out, stream)
 	var res pdu.ReceiveRes
 	return &res, err
 }
@@ -172,7 +157,7 @@ func client() {
 		req := pdu.SendReq{}
 		_, stream, err := client.ReqSend(ctx, &req)
 		orDie(err)
-		err = stream.WriteStreamTo(os.Stdout)
+		_, err = io.Copy(os.Stdout, stream)
 		orDie(err)
 	case "recv":
 		var r io.Reader = os.Stdin
diff --git a/rpc/dataconn/stream/stream.go b/rpc/dataconn/stream/stream.go
index b46d000..b12e854 100644
--- a/rpc/dataconn/stream/stream.go
+++ b/rpc/dataconn/stream/stream.go
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/base2bufpool"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/frameconn"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/heartbeatconn"
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
 )
 
 type Logger = logger.Logger
@@ -198,7 +197,7 @@ func (e ReadStreamError) Temporary() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-var _ zfs.StreamCopierError = &ReadStreamError{}
+var _ net.Error = &ReadStreamError{}
 
 func (e ReadStreamError) IsReadError() bool {
 	return e.Kind != ReadStreamErrorKindWrite
diff --git a/rpc/dataconn/stream/stream_conn.go b/rpc/dataconn/stream/stream_conn.go
index a7c7879..1ab05b0 100644
--- a/rpc/dataconn/stream/stream_conn.go
+++ b/rpc/dataconn/stream/stream_conn.go
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/heartbeatconn"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/dataconn/timeoutconn"
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
 )
 
 type Conn struct {
@@ -40,15 +39,7 @@ type Conn struct {
 
 var readMessageSentinel = fmt.Errorf("read stream complete")
 
-type writeStreamToErrorUnknownState struct{}
-
-func (e writeStreamToErrorUnknownState) Error() string {
-	return "dataconn read stream: connection is in unknown state"
-}
-
-func (e writeStreamToErrorUnknownState) IsReadError() bool { return true }
-
-func (e writeStreamToErrorUnknownState) IsWriteError() bool { return false }
+var errWriteStreamToErrorUnknownState = fmt.Errorf("dataconn read stream: connection is in unknown state")
 
 func Wrap(nc timeoutconn.Wire, sendHeartbeatInterval, peerTimeout time.Duration) *Conn {
 	hc := heartbeatconn.Wrap(nc, sendHeartbeatInterval, peerTimeout)
@@ -123,14 +114,28 @@ func (c *Conn) ReadStreamedMessage(ctx context.Context, maxSize uint32, frameTyp
 	}
 }
 
+type StreamReader struct {
+	*io.PipeReader
+	conn             *Conn
+	closeConnOnClose bool
+}
+
+func (r *StreamReader) Close() error {
+	err := r.PipeReader.Close()
+	if r.closeConnOnClose {
+		r.conn.Close() // TODO error logging
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
 // WriteStreamTo reads a stream from Conn and writes it to w.
-func (c *Conn) ReadStreamInto(w io.Writer, frameType uint32) (err zfs.StreamCopierError) {
+func (c *Conn) ReadStream(frameType uint32, closeConnOnClose bool) (_ *StreamReader, err error) {
 
 	// if we are closed while writing, return that as an error
 	if closeGuard, cse := c.closeState.RWEntry(); cse != nil {
-		return cse
+		return nil, cse
 	} else {
-		defer func(err *zfs.StreamCopierError) {
+		defer func(err *error) {
 			if closed := closeGuard.RWExit(); closed != nil {
 				*err = closed
 			}
@@ -138,18 +143,23 @@ func (c *Conn) ReadStreamInto(w io.Writer, frameType uint32) (err zfs.StreamCopi
 	}
 
 	c.readMtx.Lock()
-	defer c.readMtx.Unlock()
 	if !c.readClean {
-		return writeStreamToErrorUnknownState{}
+		return nil, errWriteStreamToErrorUnknownState
 	}
-	var rse *ReadStreamError = readStream(c.frameReads, c.hc, w, frameType)
-	c.readClean = isConnCleanAfterRead(rse)
 
-	// https://golang.org/doc/faq#nil_error
-	if rse == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return rse
+	r, w := io.Pipe()
+	go func() {
+		defer c.readMtx.Unlock()
+		var err *ReadStreamError = readStream(c.frameReads, c.hc, w, frameType)
+		if err != nil {
+			_ = w.CloseWithError(err) // doc guarantees that error will always be nil
+		} else {
+			w.Close()
+		}
+		c.readClean = isConnCleanAfterRead(err)
+	}()
+
+	return &StreamReader{PipeReader: r, conn: c, closeConnOnClose: closeConnOnClose}, nil
 }
 
 func (c *Conn) WriteStreamedMessage(ctx context.Context, buf io.Reader, frameType uint32) (err error) {
@@ -178,7 +188,7 @@ func (c *Conn) WriteStreamedMessage(ctx context.Context, buf io.Reader, frameTyp
 	return errConn
 }
 
-func (c *Conn) SendStream(ctx context.Context, src zfs.StreamCopier, frameType uint32) (err error) {
+func (c *Conn) SendStream(ctx context.Context, stream io.ReadCloser, frameType uint32) (err error) {
 
 	// if we are closed while reading, return that as an error
 	if closeGuard, cse := c.closeState.RWEntry(); cse != nil {
@@ -197,49 +207,17 @@ func (c *Conn) SendStream(ctx context.Context, src zfs.StreamCopier, frameType u
 		return fmt.Errorf("dataconn send stream: connection is in unknown state")
 	}
 
-	// avoid io.Pipe if zfs.StreamCopier is an io.Reader
-	var r io.Reader
-	var w *io.PipeWriter
-	streamCopierErrChan := make(chan zfs.StreamCopierError, 1)
-	if reader, ok := src.(io.Reader); ok {
-		r = reader
-		streamCopierErrChan <- nil
-		close(streamCopierErrChan)
-	} else {
-		r, w = io.Pipe()
-		go func() {
-			streamCopierErrChan <- src.WriteStreamTo(w)
-			w.Close()
-		}()
-	}
+	errStream, errConn := writeStream(ctx, c.hc, stream, frameType)
 
-	type writeStreamRes struct {
-		errStream, errConn error
-	}
-	writeStreamErrChan := make(chan writeStreamRes, 1)
-	go func() {
-		var res writeStreamRes
-		res.errStream, res.errConn = writeStream(ctx, c.hc, r, frameType)
-		if w != nil {
-			_ = w.CloseWithError(res.errStream) // always returns nil
-		}
-		writeStreamErrChan <- res
-	}()
+	c.writeClean = isConnCleanAfterWrite(errConn) // TODO correct?
 
-	writeRes := <-writeStreamErrChan
-	streamCopierErr := <-streamCopierErrChan
-	c.writeClean = isConnCleanAfterWrite(writeRes.errConn) // TODO correct?
-	if streamCopierErr != nil && streamCopierErr.IsReadError() {
-		return streamCopierErr // something on our side is bad
-	} else {
-		if writeRes.errStream != nil {
-			return writeRes.errStream
-		} else if writeRes.errConn != nil {
-			return writeRes.errConn
-		}
-		// TODO combined error?
-		return streamCopierErr
+	if errStream != nil {
+		return errStream
+	} else if errConn != nil {
+		return errConn
 	}
+	// TODO combined error?
+	return nil
 }
 
 type closeState struct {
@@ -248,17 +226,13 @@ type closeState struct {
 
 type closeStateErrConnectionClosed struct{}
 
-var _ zfs.StreamCopierError = (*closeStateErrConnectionClosed)(nil)
-var _ error = (*closeStateErrConnectionClosed)(nil)
 var _ net.Error = (*closeStateErrConnectionClosed)(nil)
 
 func (e *closeStateErrConnectionClosed) Error() string {
 	return "connection closed"
 }
-func (e *closeStateErrConnectionClosed) IsReadError() bool  { return true }
-func (e *closeStateErrConnectionClosed) IsWriteError() bool { return true }
-func (e *closeStateErrConnectionClosed) Timeout() bool      { return false }
-func (e *closeStateErrConnectionClosed) Temporary() bool    { return false }
+func (e *closeStateErrConnectionClosed) Timeout() bool   { return false }
+func (e *closeStateErrConnectionClosed) Temporary() bool { return false }
 
 func (s *closeState) CloseEntry() error {
 	firstCloser := atomic.AddUint32(&s.closeCount, 1) == 1
@@ -273,7 +247,7 @@ type closeStateEntry struct {
 	entryCount uint32
 }
 
-func (s *closeState) RWEntry() (e *closeStateEntry, err zfs.StreamCopierError) {
+func (s *closeState) RWEntry() (e *closeStateEntry, err net.Error) {
 	entry := &closeStateEntry{s, atomic.LoadUint32(&s.closeCount)}
 	if entry.entryCount > 0 {
 		return nil, &closeStateErrConnectionClosed{}
@@ -281,7 +255,7 @@ func (s *closeState) RWEntry() (e *closeStateEntry, err zfs.StreamCopierError) {
 	return entry, nil
 }
 
-func (e *closeStateEntry) RWExit() zfs.StreamCopierError {
+func (e *closeStateEntry) RWExit() net.Error {
 	if atomic.LoadUint32(&e.entryCount) == e.entryCount {
 		// no calls to Close() while running rw operation
 		return nil
diff --git a/rpc/rpc_client.go b/rpc/rpc_client.go
index bdc81de..5d9d2c8 100644
--- a/rpc/rpc_client.go
+++ b/rpc/rpc_client.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"net"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
@@ -20,7 +21,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/rpc/versionhandshake"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/transport"
 	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/util/envconst"
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
 )
 
 // Client implements the active side of a replication setup.
@@ -82,22 +82,22 @@ func (c *Client) Close() {
 
 // callers must ensure that the returned io.ReadCloser is closed
 // TODO expose dataClient interface to the outside world
-func (c *Client) Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, zfs.StreamCopier, error) {
+func (c *Client) Send(ctx context.Context, r *pdu.SendReq) (*pdu.SendRes, io.ReadCloser, error) {
 	// TODO the returned sendStream may return a read error created by the remote side
-	res, streamCopier, err := c.dataClient.ReqSend(ctx, r)
+	res, stream, err := c.dataClient.ReqSend(ctx, r)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
-	if streamCopier == nil {
+	if stream == nil {
 		return res, nil, nil
 	}
 
-	return res, streamCopier, nil
+	return res, stream, nil
 
 }
 
-func (c *Client) Receive(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, streamCopier zfs.StreamCopier) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
-	return c.dataClient.ReqRecv(ctx, req, streamCopier)
+func (c *Client) Receive(ctx context.Context, req *pdu.ReceiveReq, stream io.ReadCloser) (*pdu.ReceiveRes, error) {
+	return c.dataClient.ReqRecv(ctx, req, stream)
 }
 
 func (c *Client) ListFilesystems(ctx context.Context, in *pdu.ListFilesystemReq) (*pdu.ListFilesystemRes, error) {
diff --git a/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_readcloser.go b/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_readcloser.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ddd238
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_readcloser.go
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+package bytecounter
+
+import (
+	"io"
+	"sync/atomic"
+)
+
+// ReadCloser wraps an io.ReadCloser, reimplementing
+// its interface and counting the bytes written to during copying.
+type ReadCloser interface {
+	io.ReadCloser
+	Count() int64
+}
+
+// NewReadCloser wraps rc.
+func NewReadCloser(rc io.ReadCloser) ReadCloser {
+	return &readCloser{rc, 0}
+}
+
+type readCloser struct {
+	rc    io.ReadCloser
+	count int64
+}
+
+func (r *readCloser) Count() int64 {
+	return atomic.LoadInt64(&r.count)
+}
+
+var _ io.ReadCloser = &readCloser{}
+
+func (r *readCloser) Close() error {
+	return r.rc.Close()
+}
+
+func (r *readCloser) Read(p []byte) (int, error) {
+	n, err := r.rc.Read(p)
+	atomic.AddInt64(&r.count, int64(n))
+	return n, err
+}
diff --git a/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_reader.go b/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_reader.go
deleted file mode 100644
index fc1f7c5..0000000
--- a/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_reader.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,49 +0,0 @@
-package bytecounter
-
-import (
-	"io"
-	"sync/atomic"
-	"time"
-)
-
-type ByteCounterReader struct {
-	reader io.ReadCloser
-
-	// called & accessed synchronously during Read, no external access
-	cb       func(full int64)
-	cbEvery  time.Duration
-	lastCbAt time.Time
-
-	// set atomically because it may be read by multiple threads
-	bytes int64
-}
-
-func NewByteCounterReader(reader io.ReadCloser) *ByteCounterReader {
-	return &ByteCounterReader{
-		reader: reader,
-	}
-}
-
-func (b *ByteCounterReader) SetCallback(every time.Duration, cb func(full int64)) {
-	b.cbEvery = every
-	b.cb = cb
-}
-
-func (b *ByteCounterReader) Close() error {
-	return b.reader.Close()
-}
-
-func (b *ByteCounterReader) Read(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
-	n, err = b.reader.Read(p)
-	full := atomic.AddInt64(&b.bytes, int64(n))
-	now := time.Now()
-	if b.cb != nil && now.Sub(b.lastCbAt) > b.cbEvery {
-		b.cb(full)
-		b.lastCbAt = now
-	}
-	return n, err
-}
-
-func (b *ByteCounterReader) Bytes() int64 {
-	return atomic.LoadInt64(&b.bytes)
-}
diff --git a/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_streamcopier.go b/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_streamcopier.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 568270b..0000000
--- a/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_streamcopier.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,71 +0,0 @@
-package bytecounter
-
-import (
-	"io"
-	"sync/atomic"
-
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
-)
-
-// StreamCopier wraps a zfs.StreamCopier, reimplementing
-// its interface and counting the bytes written to during copying.
-type StreamCopier interface {
-	zfs.StreamCopier
-	Count() int64
-}
-
-// NewStreamCopier wraps sc into a StreamCopier.
-// If sc is io.Reader, it is guaranteed that the returned StreamCopier
-// implements that interface, too.
-func NewStreamCopier(sc zfs.StreamCopier) StreamCopier {
-	bsc := &streamCopier{sc, 0}
-	if scr, ok := sc.(io.Reader); ok {
-		return streamCopierAndReader{bsc, scr}
-	} else {
-		return bsc
-	}
-}
-
-type streamCopier struct {
-	sc    zfs.StreamCopier
-	count int64
-}
-
-// proxy writer used by streamCopier
-type streamCopierWriter struct {
-	parent *streamCopier
-	w      io.Writer
-}
-
-func (w streamCopierWriter) Write(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
-	n, err = w.w.Write(p)
-	atomic.AddInt64(&w.parent.count, int64(n))
-	return
-}
-
-func (s *streamCopier) Count() int64 {
-	return atomic.LoadInt64(&s.count)
-}
-
-var _ zfs.StreamCopier = &streamCopier{}
-
-func (s streamCopier) Close() error {
-	return s.sc.Close()
-}
-
-func (s *streamCopier) WriteStreamTo(w io.Writer) zfs.StreamCopierError {
-	ww := streamCopierWriter{s, w}
-	return s.sc.WriteStreamTo(ww)
-}
-
-// a streamCopier whose underlying sc is an io.Reader
-type streamCopierAndReader struct {
-	*streamCopier
-	asReader io.Reader
-}
-
-func (scr streamCopierAndReader) Read(p []byte) (int, error) {
-	n, err := scr.asReader.Read(p)
-	atomic.AddInt64(&scr.streamCopier.count, int64(n))
-	return n, err
-}
diff --git a/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_streamcopier_test.go b/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_streamcopier_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index f4f8b1e..0000000
--- a/util/bytecounter/bytecounter_streamcopier_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
-package bytecounter
-
-import (
-	"io"
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-
-	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/zfs"
-)
-
-type mockStreamCopierAndReader struct {
-	zfs.StreamCopier // to satisfy interface
-	reads            int
-}
-
-func (r *mockStreamCopierAndReader) Read(p []byte) (int, error) {
-	r.reads++
-	return len(p), nil
-}
-
-var _ io.Reader = &mockStreamCopierAndReader{}
-
-func TestNewStreamCopierReexportsReader(t *testing.T) {
-	mock := &mockStreamCopierAndReader{}
-	x := NewStreamCopier(mock)
-
-	r, ok := x.(io.Reader)
-	if !ok {
-		t.Fatalf("%T does not implement io.Reader, hence reader cannout have been wrapped", x)
-	}
-
-	var buf [23]byte
-	n, err := r.Read(buf[:])
-	assert.True(t, mock.reads == 1)
-	assert.True(t, n == len(buf))
-	assert.NoError(t, err)
-	assert.True(t, x.Count() == 23)
-}
diff --git a/zfs/zfs.go b/zfs/zfs.go
index 2b21ef4..d2297be 100644
--- a/zfs/zfs.go
+++ b/zfs/zfs.go
@@ -354,63 +354,6 @@ func (a ZFSSendArgsUnvalidated) buildCommonSendArgs() ([]string, error) {
 	return args, nil
 }
 
-type ReadCloserCopier struct {
-	recorder readErrRecorder
-}
-
-type readErrRecorder struct {
-	io.ReadCloser
-	readErr error
-}
-
-type sendStreamCopierError struct {
-	isReadErr bool // if false, it's a write error
-	err       error
-}
-
-func (e sendStreamCopierError) Error() string {
-	if e.isReadErr {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("stream: read error: %s", e.err)
-	} else {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("stream: writer error: %s", e.err)
-	}
-}
-
-func (e sendStreamCopierError) IsReadError() bool  { return e.isReadErr }
-func (e sendStreamCopierError) IsWriteError() bool { return !e.isReadErr }
-
-func (r *readErrRecorder) Read(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
-	n, err = r.ReadCloser.Read(p)
-	r.readErr = err
-	return n, err
-}
-
-func NewReadCloserCopier(stream io.ReadCloser) *ReadCloserCopier {
-	return &ReadCloserCopier{recorder: readErrRecorder{stream, nil}}
-}
-
-func (c *ReadCloserCopier) WriteStreamTo(w io.Writer) StreamCopierError {
-	debug("sendStreamCopier.WriteStreamTo: begin")
-	_, err := io.Copy(w, &c.recorder)
-	debug("sendStreamCopier.WriteStreamTo: copy done")
-	if err != nil {
-		if c.recorder.readErr != nil {
-			return sendStreamCopierError{isReadErr: true, err: c.recorder.readErr}
-		} else {
-			return sendStreamCopierError{isReadErr: false, err: err}
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (c *ReadCloserCopier) Read(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
-	return c.recorder.Read(p)
-}
-
-func (c *ReadCloserCopier) Close() error {
-	return c.recorder.ReadCloser.Close()
-}
-
 func pipeWithCapacityHint(capacity int) (r, w *os.File, err error) {
 	if capacity <= 0 {
 		panic(fmt.Sprintf("capacity must be positive %v", capacity))
@@ -423,7 +366,7 @@ func pipeWithCapacityHint(capacity int) (r, w *os.File, err error) {
 	return stdoutReader, stdoutWriter, nil
 }
 
-type sendStream struct {
+type SendStream struct {
 	cmd  *zfscmd.Cmd
 	kill context.CancelFunc
 
@@ -433,7 +376,7 @@ type sendStream struct {
 	opErr        error
 }
 
-func (s *sendStream) Read(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
+func (s *SendStream) Read(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
 	s.closeMtx.Lock()
 	opErr := s.opErr
 	s.closeMtx.Unlock()
@@ -454,12 +397,12 @@ func (s *sendStream) Read(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
 	return n, err
 }
 
-func (s *sendStream) Close() error {
+func (s *SendStream) Close() error {
 	debug("sendStream: close called")
 	return s.killAndWait(nil)
 }
 
-func (s *sendStream) killAndWait(precedingReadErr error) error {
+func (s *SendStream) killAndWait(precedingReadErr error) error {
 
 	debug("sendStream: killAndWait enter")
 	defer debug("sendStream: killAndWait leave")
@@ -830,7 +773,7 @@ var ErrEncryptedSendNotSupported = fmt.Errorf("raw sends which are required for
 // (if from is "" a full ZFS send is done)
 //
 // Returns ErrEncryptedSendNotSupported if encrypted send is requested but not supported by CLI
-func ZFSSend(ctx context.Context, sendArgs ZFSSendArgsValidated) (*ReadCloserCopier, error) {
+func ZFSSend(ctx context.Context, sendArgs ZFSSendArgsValidated) (*SendStream, error) {
 
 	args := make([]string, 0)
 	args = append(args, "send")
@@ -879,14 +822,14 @@ func ZFSSend(ctx context.Context, sendArgs ZFSSendArgsValidated) (*ReadCloserCop
 	// close our writing-end of the pipe so that we don't wait for ourselves when reading from the reading  end
 	stdoutWriter.Close()
 
-	stream := &sendStream{
+	stream := &SendStream{
 		cmd:          cmd,
 		kill:         cancel,
 		stdoutReader: stdoutReader,
 		stderrBuf:    stderrBuf,
 	}
 
-	return NewReadCloserCopier(stream), nil
+	return stream, nil
 }
 
 type DrySendType string
@@ -1025,24 +968,6 @@ func ZFSSendDry(ctx context.Context, sendArgs ZFSSendArgsValidated) (_ *DrySendI
 	return &si, nil
 }
 
-type StreamCopierError interface {
-	error
-	IsReadError() bool
-	IsWriteError() bool
-}
-
-type StreamCopier interface {
-	// WriteStreamTo writes the stream represented by this StreamCopier
-	// to the given io.Writer.
-	WriteStreamTo(w io.Writer) StreamCopierError
-	// Close must be called as soon as it is clear that no more data will
-	// be read from the StreamCopier.
-	// If StreamCopier gets its data from a connection, it might hold
-	// a lock on the connection until Close is called. Only closing ensures
-	// that the connection can be used afterwards.
-	Close() error
-}
-
 type RecvOptions struct {
 	// Rollback to the oldest snapshot, destroy it, then perform `recv -F`.
 	// Note that this doesn't change property values, i.e. an existing local property value will be kept.
@@ -1067,7 +992,9 @@ func (e *ErrRecvResumeNotSupported) Error() string {
 	return buf.String()
 }
 
-func ZFSRecv(ctx context.Context, fs string, v *ZFSSendArgVersion, streamCopier StreamCopier, opts RecvOptions) (err error) {
+const RecvStderrBufSiz = 1 << 15
+
+func ZFSRecv(ctx context.Context, fs string, v *ZFSSendArgVersion, stream io.ReadCloser, opts RecvOptions) (err error) {
 
 	if err := v.ValidateInMemory(fs); err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "invalid version")
@@ -1134,7 +1061,7 @@ func ZFSRecv(ctx context.Context, fs string, v *ZFSSendArgVersion, streamCopier
 	//   cannot receive new filesystem stream: invalid backup stream
 	stdout := bytes.NewBuffer(make([]byte, 0, 1024))
 
-	stderr := bytes.NewBuffer(make([]byte, 0, 1024))
+	stderr := bytes.NewBuffer(make([]byte, 0, RecvStderrBufSiz))
 
 	stdin, stdinWriter, err := pipeWithCapacityHint(ZFSRecvPipeCapacityHint)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1162,9 +1089,10 @@ func ZFSRecv(ctx context.Context, fs string, v *ZFSSendArgVersion, streamCopier
 
 	debug("started")
 
-	copierErrChan := make(chan StreamCopierError)
+	copierErrChan := make(chan error)
 	go func() {
-		copierErrChan <- streamCopier.WriteStreamTo(stdinWriter)
+		_, err := io.Copy(stdinWriter, stream)
+		copierErrChan <- err
 		stdinWriter.Close()
 	}()
 	waitErrChan := make(chan error)
@@ -1173,6 +1101,10 @@ func ZFSRecv(ctx context.Context, fs string, v *ZFSSendArgVersion, streamCopier
 		if err = cmd.Wait(); err != nil {
 			if rtErr := tryRecvErrorWithResumeToken(ctx, stderr.String()); rtErr != nil {
 				waitErrChan <- rtErr
+			} else if owErr := tryRecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr(stderr.Bytes()); owErr != nil {
+				waitErrChan <- owErr
+			} else if readErr := tryRecvCannotReadFromStreamErr(stderr.Bytes()); readErr != nil {
+				waitErrChan <- readErr
 			} else {
 				waitErrChan <- &ZFSError{
 					Stderr:  stderr.Bytes(),
@@ -1183,22 +1115,23 @@ func ZFSRecv(ctx context.Context, fs string, v *ZFSSendArgVersion, streamCopier
 		}
 	}()
 
-	// streamCopier always fails before or simultaneously with Wait
-	// thus receive from it first
 	copierErr := <-copierErrChan
 	debug("copierErr: %T %s", copierErr, copierErr)
 	if copierErr != nil {
+		debug("killing zfs recv command after copierErr")
 		cancelCmd()
 	}
 
 	waitErr := <-waitErrChan
 	debug("waitErr: %T %s", waitErr, waitErr)
+
 	if copierErr == nil && waitErr == nil {
 		return nil
-	} else if waitErr != nil && (copierErr == nil || copierErr.IsWriteError()) {
-		return waitErr // has more interesting info in that case
+	} else if _, isReadErr := waitErr.(*RecvCannotReadFromStreamErr); isReadErr {
+		return copierErr // likely network error reading from stream
+	} else {
+		return waitErr // almost always more interesting info. NOTE: do not wrap!
 	}
-	return copierErr // if it's not a write error, the copier error is more interesting
 }
 
 type RecvFailedWithResumeTokenErr struct {
@@ -1228,6 +1161,43 @@ func (e *RecvFailedWithResumeTokenErr) Error() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("receive failed, resume token available: %s\n%#v", e.ResumeTokenRaw, e.ResumeTokenParsed)
 }
 
+type RecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr struct {
+	Msg string
+}
+
+func (e *RecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr) Error() string {
+	return e.Msg
+}
+
+var recvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErrRe = regexp.MustCompile(`^(cannot receive new filesystem stream: zfs receive -F cannot be used to destroy an encrypted filesystem or overwrite an unencrypted one with an encrypted one)`)
+
+func tryRecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr(stderr []byte) *RecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr {
+	debug("tryRecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr: %v", stderr)
+	m := recvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErrRe.FindSubmatch(stderr)
+	if m == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &RecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr{Msg: string(m[1])}
+}
+
+type RecvCannotReadFromStreamErr struct {
+	Msg string
+}
+
+func (e *RecvCannotReadFromStreamErr) Error() string {
+	return e.Msg
+}
+
+var reRecvCannotReadFromStreamErr = regexp.MustCompile(`^(cannot receive: failed to read from stream)$`)
+
+func tryRecvCannotReadFromStreamErr(stderr []byte) *RecvCannotReadFromStreamErr {
+	m := reRecvCannotReadFromStreamErr.FindSubmatch(stderr)
+	if m == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &RecvCannotReadFromStreamErr{Msg: string(m[1])}
+}
+
 type ClearResumeTokenError struct {
 	ZFSOutput []byte
 	CmdError  error
diff --git a/zfs/zfs_test.go b/zfs/zfs_test.go
index 606ab54..9871640 100644
--- a/zfs/zfs_test.go
+++ b/zfs/zfs_test.go
@@ -2,9 +2,11 @@ package zfs
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
 func TestZFSListHandlesProducesZFSErrorOnNonZeroExit(t *testing.T) {
@@ -259,3 +261,12 @@ size	10518512
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+func TestTryRecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr(t *testing.T) {
+	msg := "cannot receive new filesystem stream: zfs receive -F cannot be used to destroy an encrypted filesystem or overwrite an unencrypted one with an encrypted one\n"
+	assert.GreaterOrEqual(t, RecvStderrBufSiz, len(msg))
+
+	err := tryRecvDestroyOrOverwriteEncryptedErr([]byte(msg))
+	require.NotNil(t, err)
+	assert.EqualError(t, err, strings.TrimSpace(msg))
+}
diff --git a/zfs/zfscmd/zfscmd_platform_test.go b/zfs/zfscmd/zfscmd_platform_test.go
index 2a34366..5bb5d6c 100644
--- a/zfs/zfscmd/zfscmd_platform_test.go
+++ b/zfs/zfscmd/zfscmd_platform_test.go
@@ -5,11 +5,14 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"io"
+	"os"
 	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"github.com/zrepl/zrepl/util/circlog"
 )
 
 const testBin = "./zfscmd_platform_test.bash"
@@ -85,5 +88,37 @@ func TestCmdProcessState(t *testing.T) {
 	require.True(t, ok)
 	require.NotNil(t, ee.ProcessState)
 	require.Contains(t, ee.Error(), "killed")
+}
+
+func TestSigpipe(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	defer cancel()
+	cmd := CommandContext(ctx, "bash", "-c", "sleep 5; echo invalid input; exit 23")
+	r, w, err := os.Pipe()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	output := circlog.MustNewCircularLog(1 << 20)
+	cmd.SetStdio(Stdio{
+		Stdin:  r,
+		Stdout: output,
+		Stderr: output,
+	})
+	err = cmd.Start()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	err = r.Close()
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// the script doesn't read stdin, but this input is almost certainly smaller than the pipe buffer
+	const LargerThanPipeBuffer = 1 << 21
+	_, err = io.Copy(w, bytes.NewBuffer(bytes.Repeat([]byte("i"), LargerThanPipeBuffer)))
+	// => io.Copy is going to block because the pipe buffer is full and the
+	//    script is not reading from it
+	// => the script is going to exit after 5s
+	// => we should expect a broken pipe error from the copier's perspective
+	t.Logf("copy err = %T: %s", err, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, err)
+	require.True(t, strings.Contains(err.Error(), "broken pipe"))
+
+	err = cmd.Wait()
+	require.EqualError(t, err, "exit status 23")
 
 }