diff --git a/src/open.c b/src/open.c
index b2d5195..36478b2 100644
--- a/src/open.c
+++ b/src/open.c
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ AARU_EXPORT void AARU_CALL *aaruf_open(const char *filepath)  // NOLINT(readabil
         }
     }
 
-    utarray_free(index_entries);
+    ctx->index_entries = index_entries;
 
     if(!found_user_data_ddt)
     {