diff --git a/lib/repo.c b/lib/repo.c
index 6109510e..3a6f6609 100644
--- a/lib/repo.c
+++ b/lib/repo.c
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ xbps_repo_open(struct xbps_handle *xhp, const char *url)
 	 * In memory repo sync.
 	 */
 	if (xhp->flags & XBPS_FLAG_REPOS_MEMSYNC) {
-		if (repo_open_remote(repo))
+		if (repo->is_remote && repo_open_remote(repo))
 			return repo;
 
 		goto out;