diff --git a/openmc/deplete/coupled_operator.py b/openmc/deplete/coupled_operator.py
index 856a26958fe..8d43e2b2cee 100644
--- a/openmc/deplete/coupled_operator.py
+++ b/openmc/deplete/coupled_operator.py
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ def _load_previous_results(self):
         # on this process
         if comm.size != 1:
             prev_results = self.prev_res
-            self.prev_res = Results()
+            self.prev_res = Results(filename=None)
             mat_indexes = _distribute(range(len(self.burnable_mats)))
             for res_obj in prev_results:
                 new_res = res_obj.distribute(self.local_mats, mat_indexes)