diff --git a/grudge/discretization.py b/grudge/discretization.py
index 385a8208c56b79cbe686c48c8a57f7f3819eefb0..19b9230ba592cec49c2cb381f993c26de762a7f8 100644
--- a/grudge/discretization.py
+++ b/grudge/discretization.py
@@ -454,8 +454,13 @@ class DiscretizationCollection:
 
     @memoize_method
     def _discr_tag_volume_discr(self, discretization_tag):
-        from meshmode.discretization import Discretization
+        assert discretization_tag is not None
+
+        # Refuse to re-make the volume discretization
+        if discretization_tag is DISCR_TAG_BASE:
+            return self._volume_discr
 
+        from meshmode.discretization import Discretization
         return Discretization(
             self._setup_actx, self._volume_discr.mesh,
             self.group_factory_for_discretization_tag(discretization_tag)