diff --git a/spynnaker/pyNN/models/recorder.py b/spynnaker/pyNN/models/recorder.py
index 4375a0806d..94c0b4f9f2 100644
--- a/spynnaker/pyNN/models/recorder.py
+++ b/spynnaker/pyNN/models/recorder.py
@@ -323,7 +323,8 @@ def __append_previous_segment(
             ~spinn_front_end_common.utilities.exceptions.ConfigurationException:
             If the recording not setup correctly
         """
-        with NeoBufferDatabase.segement_db(segment_number) as db:
+        with NeoBufferDatabase.segement_db(
+                segment_number, read_only=not clear) as db:
             if block is None:
                 block = db.get_empty_block(
                     self.__population.label, annotations)
diff --git a/spynnaker/pyNN/utilities/neo_buffer_database.py b/spynnaker/pyNN/utilities/neo_buffer_database.py
index 72f5816860..1086cad607 100644
--- a/spynnaker/pyNN/utilities/neo_buffer_database.py
+++ b/spynnaker/pyNN/utilities/neo_buffer_database.py
@@ -128,12 +128,13 @@ def __init__(self, database_file: Optional[str] = None,
             segment_cache[segment] = database_file
 
     @classmethod
-    def segement_db(cls, segment_number: int) -> NeoBufferDatabase:
+    def segement_db(cls, segment_number: int,
+                    read_only: Optional[bool] = None) -> NeoBufferDatabase:
         """
         Retrieves a NeoBufferDatabase for this segment.
         """
         database_file = segment_cache[segment_number]
-        return NeoBufferDatabase(database_file)
+        return NeoBufferDatabase(database_file, read_only)
 
     def write_segment_metadata(self) -> None:
         """