diff --git a/src/rail/core/stage.py b/src/rail/core/stage.py
index 7570e6ed..9e288a8a 100644
--- a/src/rail/core/stage.py
+++ b/src/rail/core/stage.py
@@ -396,7 +396,8 @@ def _finalize_tag(self, tag):
         """
         handle = self.get_handle(tag, allow_missing=True)
         if self.config.output_mode == 'default':
-            handle.write()
+            if not os.path.exists(handle.path) or not handle.partial:
+                handle.write()            
         final_name = PipelineStage._finalize_tag(self, tag)
         handle.path = final_name
         return final_name