diff --git a/util/lar/lar.c b/util/lar/lar.c
index 1a03d9129f..fd8c942658 100644
--- a/util/lar/lar.c
+++ b/util/lar/lar.c
@@ -370,13 +370,13 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		exit(1);
 	}
 
-	/* when a new archive is created, recurse over
-	 * physical files when a directory is found.
+	/* when a new archive is created or added to, recurse over
+	 * the physical files when a directory is found.
 	 * Otherwise just add the directory to the match list
 	 */
 
 	while (optind < argc) {
-		if (larmode == CREATE) {
+		if (larmode == CREATE || larmode == ADD) {
 			add_files(argv[optind++]);
 		} else
 			add_file_or_directory(argv[optind++]);
diff --git a/util/lar/lib.c b/util/lar/lib.c
index 0dd2a69663..fd6154fc3e 100644
--- a/util/lar/lib.c
+++ b/util/lar/lib.c
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ static int handle_directory(const char *name)
 
 /*
  * Add physically existing files to the file list. 
- * This function is used when an archive is created.
+ * This function is used when an archive is created or added to.
  */
 
 int add_files(const char *name)