diff --git a/python/pmtiles/reader.py b/python/pmtiles/reader.py
index a8f7fe2..5354107 100644
--- a/python/pmtiles/reader.py
+++ b/python/pmtiles/reader.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class Reader:
         return deserialize_header(self.get_bytes(0, 127))
 
     def metadata(self):
-        header = deserialize_header(self.get_bytes(0, 127))
+        header = self.header()
         metadata = self.get_bytes(header["metadata_offset"], header["metadata_length"])
         if header["internal_compression"] == Compression.GZIP:
             metadata = gzip.decompress(metadata)
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class Reader:
 
     def get(self, z, x, y):
         tile_id = zxy_to_tileid(z, x, y)
-        header = deserialize_header(self.get_bytes(0, 127))
+        header = self.header()
         dir_offset = header["root_offset"]
         dir_length = header["root_length"]
         for depth in range(0, 4):  # max depth