diff --git a/src/table.ts b/src/table.ts
index fa50f2f11..c68e4fd44 100644
--- a/src/table.ts
+++ b/src/table.ts
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ Please use the format 'prezzy' or '${instance.name}/tables/prezzy'.`);
         reqOpts.rowsLimit = rowsLimit - rowsRead;
       }
 
-      options.gaxOptions = populateAttemptHeader(
+      const gaxOpts = populateAttemptHeader(
         numRequestsMade,
         options.gaxOptions
       );
@@ -903,7 +903,7 @@ Please use the format 'prezzy' or '${instance.name}/tables/prezzy'.`);
         client: 'BigtableClient',
         method: 'readRows',
         reqOpts,
-        gaxOpts: options.gaxOptions,
+        gaxOpts,
         retryOpts,
       });