diff --git a/ome_zarr/reader.py b/ome_zarr/reader.py
index ec634ad8..15d7d217 100644
--- a/ome_zarr/reader.py
+++ b/ome_zarr/reader.py
@@ -91,11 +91,12 @@ def __init__(
         if not found:
             self.specs.append(Implicit(self))
 
-        # Load up the hierarchy
-        if Leaf.matches(zarr):
-            self.specs.append(Leaf(self))
-        else:
-            self.specs.append(Root(self))
+        if False:  # Temporarily disable. See #174
+            # Load up the hierarchy
+            if Leaf.matches(zarr):
+                self.specs.append(Leaf(self))
+            else:
+                self.specs.append(Root(self))
 
     @overload
     def first(self, spectype: Type["Well"]) -> Optional["Well"]: