diff --git a/pygeoapi/provider/rasterio_.py b/pygeoapi/provider/rasterio_.py
index 69d2dbc..261754c 100644
--- a/pygeoapi/provider/rasterio_.py
+++ b/pygeoapi/provider/rasterio_.py
@@ -240,16 +240,15 @@ class RasterioProvider(BaseProvider):
             out_meta['units'] = _data.units
 
             LOGGER.debug('Serializing data in memory')
-            with MemoryFile() as memfile:
-                with memfile.open(**out_meta) as dest:
-                    dest.write(out_image)
+            if format_ == 'json':
+                LOGGER.debug('Creating output in CoverageJSON')
+                out_meta['bands'] = args['indexes']
+                return self.gen_covjson(out_meta, out_image)
 
-                if format_ == 'json':
-                    LOGGER.debug('Creating output in CoverageJSON')
-                    out_meta['bands'] = args['indexes']
-                    return self.gen_covjson(out_meta, out_image)
-
-                else:  # return data in native format
+            else:  # return data in native format
+                with MemoryFile() as memfile:
+                    with memfile.open(**out_meta) as dest:
+                        dest.write(out_image)
                     LOGGER.debug('Returning data in native format')
                     return memfile.read()