diff --git a/raster/r.category/main.c b/raster/r.category/main.c
index 8092b3faf5c..19b447a26db 100644
--- a/raster/r.category/main.c
+++ b/raster/r.category/main.c
@@ -241,6 +241,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
             }
 
             Rast_init_cats("", &cats);
+            /* Preserves existing metadata (like title)*/
+            Rast_read_cats(name, G_mapset(), &cats);
 
             for (;;) {
                 char buf[1024];