diff --git a/python/converters/wien2k_converter.py b/python/converters/wien2k_converter.py
index 56de47fc..8be718c1 100644
--- a/python/converters/wien2k_converter.py
+++ b/python/converters/wien2k_converter.py
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ class Wien2kConverter(ConverterTools):
         if not (mpi.is_master_node()): return
         
         # Check if SP, SO and n_k are already in h5
-        ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file, 'a')
+        ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file, 'r')
         if not (self.dft_subgrp in ar): raise IOError, "convert_misc_input: No %s subgroup in hdf file found! Call convert_dft_input first." %self.dft_subgrp
         SP = ar[self.dft_subgrp]['SP']
         SO = ar[self.dft_subgrp]['SO']
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ class Wien2kConverter(ConverterTools):
         if not (mpi.is_master_node()): return
         
         # Check if SP, SO and n_k are already in h5
-        ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file, 'a')
+        ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file, 'r')
         if not (self.dft_subgrp in ar): raise IOError, "convert_transport_input: No %s subgroup in hdf file found! Call convert_dft_input first." %self.dft_subgrp
         SP = ar[self.dft_subgrp]['SP']
         SO = ar[self.dft_subgrp]['SO']
diff --git a/python/sumk_dft.py b/python/sumk_dft.py
index 54721ca4..a2a2557f 100644
--- a/python/sumk_dft.py
+++ b/python/sumk_dft.py
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class SumkDFT:
         subgroup_present = 0
 
         if mpi.is_master_node():
-            ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file,'a')
+            ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file,'r')
             if subgrp in ar:
                 subgroup_present = True
                 # first read the necessary things:
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ class SumkDFT:
         """
 
         if not (mpi.is_master_node()): return # do nothing on nodes
-        ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file,'a')
+        ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file,'r')
         if not subgrp in ar: mpi.report("Loading %s failed!"%subgrp)
         list_to_return = []
         for it in things_to_load: 
diff --git a/python/sumk_dft_tools.py b/python/sumk_dft_tools.py
index 41870c30..1f63ac7b 100644
--- a/python/sumk_dft_tools.py
+++ b/python/sumk_dft_tools.py
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ class SumkDFTTools(SumkDFT):
        
         # Check if wien converter was called and read transport subgroup form hdf file
         if mpi.is_master_node():
-            ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file, 'a')
+            ar = HDFArchive(self.hdf_file, 'r')
             if not (self.transp_data in ar): raise IOError, "transport_distribution: No %s subgroup in hdf file found! Call convert_transp_input first." %self.transp_data
         self.read_transport_input_from_hdf()
         
diff --git a/python/symmetry.py b/python/symmetry.py
index ad9d3720..2ddec363 100644
--- a/python/symmetry.py
+++ b/python/symmetry.py
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class Symmetry:
 
         if mpi.is_master_node():
             #Read the stuff on master:
-            ar = HDFArchive(hdf_file,'a')
+            ar = HDFArchive(hdf_file,'r')
             if subgroup is None:
                 ar2 = ar
             else: