diff --git a/source3/smbd/open.c b/source3/smbd/open.c
index 441b8cd..5b5883c 100644
--- a/source3/smbd/open.c
+++ b/source3/smbd/open.c
@@ -2807,7 +2807,11 @@ static NTSTATUS open_directory(connection_struct *conn,
 		return status;
 	}
 
-	mtimespec = smb_dname->st.st_ex_mtime;
+	/* Don't store old timestamps for directory
+	   handles as we don't update them on directory
+	   writes. See bug #9870. JRA.
+	*/
+	ZERO_STRUCT(mtimespec);
 
 	fsp->access_mask = access_mask;