diff --git a/src/ert/run_models/everest_run_model.py b/src/ert/run_models/everest_run_model.py
index b768ee7a286..894af42d76c 100644
--- a/src/ert/run_models/everest_run_model.py
+++ b/src/ert/run_models/everest_run_model.py
@@ -189,12 +189,7 @@ def run_experiment(
         self.ever_storage = EverestStorage(
             output_dir=Path(self._everest_config.optimization_output_dir),
         )
-        self.ever_storage.observe_optimizer(
-            optimizer,
-            Path(self._everest_config.optimization_output_dir)
-            / "dakota"
-            / "OPT_DEFAULT.out",
-        )
+        self.ever_storage.observe_optimizer(optimizer)
 
         # Run the optimization:
         optimizer_exit_code = optimizer.run().exit_code
diff --git a/src/everest/everest_storage.py b/src/everest/everest_storage.py
index b85f0e216be..aec1588e583 100644
--- a/src/everest/everest_storage.py
+++ b/src/everest/everest_storage.py
@@ -256,7 +256,6 @@ def __init__(
         self._gradient_ensemble_id = 0
 
         self._output_dir = output_dir
-        self._merit_file: Path | None = None
         self.data = OptimizationStorageData()
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -338,12 +337,7 @@ def read_from_output_dir(self) -> None:
     def observe_optimizer(
         self,
         optimizer: BasicOptimizer,
-        merit_file: Path,
     ) -> None:
-        # We only need this file if we are observing a running ROPT instance
-        # (using dakota backend)
-        self._merit_file = merit_file
-
         optimizer.add_observer(
             EventType.START_OPTIMIZER_STEP, self._on_start_optimization
         )
@@ -860,7 +854,7 @@ def _get_merit_values(self) -> list[_MeritValue]:
         # Iter    F(x)    mu    alpha    Merit    feval    btracks    Penalty
         # :return: merit values indexed by the function evaluation number
 
-        def _get_merit_fn_lines(merit_path: str) -> list[str]:
+        def _get_merit_fn_lines(merit_path: Path) -> list[str]:
             if os.path.isfile(merit_path):
                 with open(merit_path, errors="replace", encoding="utf-8") as reader:
                     lines = reader.readlines()
@@ -887,9 +881,10 @@ def _parse_merit_line(merit_values_string: str) -> tuple[int, float] | None:
                 return int(values[5]) - 1, values[4]
             return None
 
+        merit_file = Path(self._output_dir) / "dakota" / "OPT_DEFAULT.out"
         merit_values = []
-        if self._merit_file.exists():
-            for line in _get_merit_fn_lines(self._merit_file):
+        if merit_file.exists():
+            for line in _get_merit_fn_lines(merit_file):
                 value = _parse_merit_line(line)
                 if value is not None:
                     merit_values.append(_MeritValue(iter=value[0], value=value[1]))