diff --git a/src/minivhd.h b/src/minivhd.h
index 47e30a2..80f0d19 100644
--- a/src/minivhd.h
+++ b/src/minivhd.h
@@ -95,7 +95,8 @@ bool mvhd_file_is_vhd(FILE* f);
  * MVHD_ERR_TYPE, MVHD_ERR_TIMESTAMP
  * If MVHD_ERR_FILE is set, mvhd_errno will be set to the appropriate system errno value
  * 
- * \return MVHDMeta pointer. If NULL, check err.
+ * \return MVHDMeta pointer. If NULL, check err. err may also be set to MVHD_ERR_TIMESTAMP if
+ *         opening a differencing VHD.
  */
 MVHDMeta* mvhd_open(const char* path, bool readonly, int* err);
 
diff --git a/src/minivhd_manage.c b/src/minivhd_manage.c
index 9d711cf..fbfe725 100644
--- a/src/minivhd_manage.c
+++ b/src/minivhd_manage.c
@@ -426,8 +426,9 @@ MVHDMeta* mvhd_open(const char* path, bool readonly, int* err) {
             goto cleanup_format_buff;
         }
         if (vhdm->sparse.par_timestamp != par_mod_ts) {
+            /* The last-modified timestamp is to fragile to make this a fatal error.
+               Instead, we inform the caller of the potential problem. */
             *err = MVHD_ERR_TIMESTAMP;
-            goto cleanup_format_buff;
         }
         vhdm->parent = mvhd_open(par_path, true, err);
         if (vhdm->parent == NULL) {