diff --git a/adlfs/spec.py b/adlfs/spec.py
index 3aaf5f9e..a046f657 100644
--- a/adlfs/spec.py
+++ b/adlfs/spec.py
@@ -2049,13 +2049,6 @@ def __init__(
                 size=self.size,
                 **cache_options,
             )
-            self.metadata = sync(
-                self.loop,
-                get_blob_metadata,
-                self.container_client,
-                self.blob,
-                version_id=self.version_id,
-            )
 
         else:
             self.metadata = metadata or {"is_directory": "false"}
@@ -2064,6 +2057,15 @@ def __init__(
             self.forced = False
             self.location = None
 
+    def get_metadata(self):
+        return self.metadata or sync(
+            self.loop,
+            get_blob_metadata,
+            self.container_client,
+            self.blob,
+            version_id=self.version_id,
+        )
+
     def _get_loop(self):
         try:
             # Need to confirm there is an event loop running in