diff --git a/grid.py b/grid.py
index 6fd8f67..eb21878 100644
--- a/grid.py
+++ b/grid.py
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@ def querydb(cubeid):
     """ open a metadata file """
     try:
         dbfile = 'db/vm.{}.json'.format(src_data['cube'])
-        with open(dbfile as datafile):
-            data = json.load(datafile)
-        datafile.close()
+        with open(dbfile, 'r' as dbf):
+            data = json.load(dbf)
+        dbf.close()
         logger.info('grid> {} --> {}'.format(dbfile, data))
     except Exception as e:
         logger.critical('grid> {}'.format(e))