diff --git a/src/ocrd/workspace.py b/src/ocrd/workspace.py
index 270414ec4..4a99a112c 100644
--- a/src/ocrd/workspace.py
+++ b/src/ocrd/workspace.py
@@ -121,7 +121,10 @@ def reload_mets(self):
         """
         Reload METS from the filesystem.
         """
-        self.mets = OcrdMets(filename=self.mets_target)
+        if self.is_remote:
+            self.mets.reload()
+        else:
+            self.mets = OcrdMets(filename=self.mets_target)
 
     @deprecated_alias(pageId="page_id")
     @deprecated_alias(ID="file_id")