address@hidden:~/tmp/y>ln -s /etc/passwd README
address@hidden:~/tmp/y>ls
README@
address@hidden:~/tmp/y>wget -O foo
ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/Linux/mirrors/debian/README
--2015-05-05 13:17:22-- ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/Linux/mirrors/debian/README
=> ‘foo’
Resolving ftp.funet.fi (ftp.funet.fi)... 193.166.3.2, 2001:708:10:9::20:2
Connecting to ftp.funet.fi (ftp.funet.fi)|193.166.3.2|:21... connected.
Logging in as anonymous ... Logged in!
==> SYST ... done. ==> PWD ... done.
==> TYPE I ... done. ==> CWD (1) /pub/Linux/mirrors/debian ... done.
==> SIZE README ... 1495
==> PASV ... done. ==> RETR README ... done.
Length: 1495 (1.5K) (unauthoritative)
README 100%[=====================>] 1.46K 5.45KB/s in 0.3s
2015-05-05 13:17:28 (5.45 KB/s) - ‘foo’ saved [1495]
address@hidden:~/tmp/y>ls
foo
Doesn't happen if README is a file rather than a symlink, doesn't happen when
using http. The ftp downloader apparently has a bug..