diff --git a/util/arch/archiver.c b/util/arch/archiver.c
index 8e985854d..35efbfef9 100644
--- a/util/arch/archiver.c
+++ b/util/arch/archiver.c
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ register char *argv[];
   int i = 0;
   int temp_fd, read_chars;
 
-  ar_fd = open_archive(argv[2], (show_fl || pr_fl) ? READ : APPEND);
+  ar_fd = open_archive(argv[2], (show_fl || pr_fl || ex_fl) ? READ : APPEND);
   if (rep_fl || del_fl
 #ifdef AAL
 	|| app_fl