diff --git a/nonlib/Loggable.C b/nonlib/Loggable.C
index b0edbe5..2bb6ebc 100644
--- a/nonlib/Loggable.C
+++ b/nonlib/Loggable.C
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ using std::max;
 
 
 
+bool Loggable::_readonly = false;
 FILE *Loggable::_fp;
 unsigned int Loggable::_log_id = 0;
 int Loggable::_level = 0;
@@ -116,8 +117,19 @@ Loggable::open ( const char *filename )
     if ( ! ( fp = fopen( filename, "a+" ) ) )
     {
         WARNING( "Could not open log file for writing!" );
-        return false;
+        
+        if ( ! ( fp = fopen( filename, "r" ) ) )
+        {
+            WARNING( "Could not open log file for reading!" );
+            return false;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            _readonly = true;
+        }
     }
+    
+    _readonly = false;
 
     load_unjournaled_state();
 
diff --git a/nonlib/Loggable.H b/nonlib/Loggable.H
index e2f379c..25ed00a 100644
--- a/nonlib/Loggable.H
+++ b/nonlib/Loggable.H
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ class Loggable
         Log_Entry * unjournaled_state;
     };
 
+    static bool _readonly;
     static FILE *_fp;
     static unsigned int _log_id;
     static int _level;
@@ -141,6 +142,8 @@ private:
     static void clear_dirty ( void ) {  signal_dirty( _dirty = 0 ); }
 
 public:
+    
+    static bool readonly ( void ) { return _readonly; }
 
     static bool replay ( const char *name );