diff --git a/regtest.py b/regtest.py
index f817373..1427788 100755
--- a/regtest.py
+++ b/regtest.py
@@ -1181,7 +1181,7 @@ def test_suite(argv):
                     except:
                         suite.log.warn(f"unable to remove {pfile}")
 
-                else:
+                elif self.archive_output == 1:
                     # tar it up
                     try:
                         tar = tarfile.open(f"{pfile}.tgz", "w:gz")
diff --git a/suite.py b/suite.py
index 5f733c7..0cf9bf4 100644
--- a/suite.py
+++ b/suite.py
@@ -462,6 +462,9 @@ def __init__(self, args):
         # this will be automatically filled
         self.extra_src_comp_string = ""
 
+        # archive output upon completion
+        self.archive_output = 1
+
         # delete all plot/checkfiles but the plotfile used for comparison upon
         # completion
         self.purge_output = 0
diff --git a/test_util.py b/test_util.py
index 3b76ced..7b3cadb 100644
--- a/test_util.py
+++ b/test_util.py
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@
 
   add_to_c_make_command = < any additional defines to add to the make invocation for C_Src AMReX >
 
+  archive_output = <0: leave all plotfiles in place;
+                    1: tar plotfiles after compare (default) >
   purge_output = <0: leave all plotfiles in place;
                   1: delete plotfiles after compare >