diff --git a/src/binding/python/openpmd_api/pipe/__main__.py b/src/binding/python/openpmd_api/pipe/__main__.py
index 436bd233f1..c5312d71b5 100644
--- a/src/binding/python/openpmd_api/pipe/__main__.py
+++ b/src/binding/python/openpmd_api/pipe/__main__.py
@@ -223,6 +223,9 @@ def run(self):
                                   self.outconfig)
             print("Opened input and output on rank {}.".format(self.comm.rank))
             sys.stdout.flush()
+        # In Linear read mode, global attributes are only present after calling
+        # this method to access the first iteration
+        inseries.read_iterations()
         self.__copy(inseries, outseries)
 
     def __copy(self, src, dest, current_path="/data/"):