diff --git a/codeflash/optimization/function_optimizer.py b/codeflash/optimization/function_optimizer.py
index 30d6d4022..078edc9f5 100644
--- a/codeflash/optimization/function_optimizer.py
+++ b/codeflash/optimization/function_optimizer.py
@@ -649,16 +649,14 @@ def determine_best_candidate(
                     if self.args.benchmark and benchmark_tree:
                         console.print(benchmark_tree)
                     console.rule()
-
-                self.write_code_and_helpers(
-                    self.function_to_optimize_source_code, original_helper_code, self.function_to_optimize.file_path
-                )
             except KeyboardInterrupt as e:
+                logger.exception(f"Optimization interrupted: {e}")
+                raise
+            finally:
+                # reset for the next candidate
                 self.write_code_and_helpers(
                     self.function_to_optimize_source_code, original_helper_code, self.function_to_optimize.file_path
                 )
-                logger.exception(f"Optimization interrupted: {e}")
-                raise
         if not valid_optimizations:
             return None
         # need to figure out the best candidate here before we return best_optimization