diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/database.py b/lib/spack/spack/database.py
index e768ddf5fe..59d577f0c7 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/database.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/database.py
@@ -309,7 +309,11 @@ def reindex(self, directory_layout):
                 for spec in directory_layout.all_specs():
                     # Create a spec for each known package and add it.
                     path = directory_layout.path_for_spec(spec)
-                    self._add(spec, path, directory_layout)
+                    old_info = old_data.get(spec.dag_hash())
+                    explicit = False
+                    if old_info is not None:
+                        explicit = old_info.explicit
+                    self._add(spec, path, directory_layout, explicit=explicit)
 
                 self._check_ref_counts()