diff --git a/src/3d/parcels/parcel_diagnostics_netcdf.f90 b/src/3d/parcels/parcel_diagnostics_netcdf.f90
index abf21329..07ad02a3 100644
--- a/src/3d/parcels/parcel_diagnostics_netcdf.f90
+++ b/src/3d/parcels/parcel_diagnostics_netcdf.f90
@@ -337,7 +337,12 @@ subroutine write_netcdf_parcel_stats(t)
 
             call start_timer(parcel_stats_io_timer)
 
+            ! reset counters for parcel operations
+            n_parcel_splits = 0
+            n_parcel_merges = 0
+
             if (world%rank /= world%root) then
+                call stop_timer(parcel_stats_io_timer)
                 return
             endif
 
@@ -383,10 +388,6 @@ subroutine write_netcdf_parcel_stats(t)
             ! increment counter
             n_writes = n_writes + 1
 
-            ! reset counters for parcel operations
-            n_parcel_splits = 0
-            n_parcel_merges = 0
-
             call close_netcdf_file(ncid, l_serial=.true.)
 
             call stop_timer(parcel_stats_io_timer)