diff --git a/src/virtualship/make_realistic/problems/simulator.py b/src/virtualship/make_realistic/problems/simulator.py
index 6a5e5778..b02486c5 100644
--- a/src/virtualship/make_realistic/problems/simulator.py
+++ b/src/virtualship/make_realistic/problems/simulator.py
@@ -285,7 +285,6 @@ def execute(
                 continue
 
             self._log_problem(problem, wp_i, problem_hash, hash_fpath, log_delay)
-            self._cache_original_expedition(self.expedition)
 
     def _log_problem(
         self,
@@ -352,6 +351,9 @@ def _log_problem(
         _save_checkpoint(checkpoint, self.expedition_dir)
         self.expedition.to_yaml(self.expedition_dir / CACHE / EXPEDITION_LATEST)
 
+        # cache original expedition for user reference
+        self._cache_original_expedition(self.expedition)
+
         self._tabular_outputter(
             problem_str=problem.message,
             impact_str=impact_str,
@@ -360,6 +362,7 @@ def _log_problem(
         )
 
         if not has_contingency:
+            # exit simulation
             sys.exit(0)
 
     def _has_contingency(self, problem: ProblemType, problem_wp_i: int | None) -> bool:
diff --git a/tests/make_realistic/problems/test_simulator.py b/tests/make_realistic/problems/test_simulator.py
index c3b790b0..6432185d 100644
--- a/tests/make_realistic/problems/test_simulator.py
+++ b/tests/make_realistic/problems/test_simulator.py
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 import json
 import random
+import time
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 
+import pytest
+
 from virtualship.instruments.types import InstrumentType
 from virtualship.make_realistic.problems.scenarios import (
     GENERAL_PROBLEMS,
@@ -18,7 +21,7 @@
     ShipConfig,
     Waypoint,
 )
-from virtualship.utils import REPORT
+from virtualship.utils import CACHE, EXPEDITION_ORIGINAL, REPORT
 
 
 def _make_simple_expedition(
@@ -372,3 +375,38 @@ def test_instrument_not_present_doesnt_select_instrument_problem(tmp_path):
             # any incompatible waypoint x instrument problem combinations should have been replaced by a general problem
             else:
                 assert isinstance(problem, GeneralProblem)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("halts_simulation", [True, False])
+def test_original_expedition_always_cached(tmp_path, monkeypatch, halts_simulation):
+    """The original expedition should be cached whenever a problem occurs."""
+    monkeypatch.setattr(time, "sleep", lambda _: None)
+
+    if halts_simulation:
+        # no contingency for a pre-departure problem, so simulation should halt
+        expedition = _make_simple_expedition(num_waypoints=2)
+        problem, problem_wp_i = _get_pre_departure_problem(), 0
+    else:
+        # short distance between waypoints, so enough contingency to avoid the problem
+        expedition = _make_simple_expedition(num_waypoints=2, distance_scale=0.01)
+        problem = next(
+            c for c in GENERAL_PROBLEMS if not getattr(c, "pre_departure", False)
+        )
+        problem_wp_i = 1
+
+    (tmp_path / CACHE).mkdir()
+    simulator = ProblemSimulator(expedition, str(tmp_path))
+    log_problem_args = (
+        problem,
+        problem_wp_i,
+        "sample",
+        tmp_path / "problem_sample.json",
+    )
+
+    if halts_simulation:
+        with pytest.raises(SystemExit):
+            simulator._log_problem(*log_problem_args, log_delay=0.0)
+    else:
+        simulator._log_problem(*log_problem_args, log_delay=0.0)
+
+    assert (tmp_path / CACHE / EXPEDITION_ORIGINAL).exists()