diff --git a/CHANGES/4681.bugfix b/CHANGES/4681.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2388ea2f6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CHANGES/4681.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix file:// syncs deleting the original files.
diff --git a/pulpcore/download/file.py b/pulpcore/download/file.py
index a078e3b99d..100872dcc4 100644
--- a/pulpcore/download/file.py
+++ b/pulpcore/download/file.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ async def _run(self, extra_data=None):
                     break  # the reading is done
                 await self.handle_data(chunk)
             return DownloadResult(
-                path=self._path,
+                path=self.path,
                 artifact_attributes=self.artifact_attributes,
                 url=self.url,
                 headers=None,