diff --git a/src/spikeinterface/exporters/to_phy.py b/src/spikeinterface/exporters/to_phy.py
index 80b36c3cba..1955eee213 100644
--- a/src/spikeinterface/exporters/to_phy.py
+++ b/src/spikeinterface/exporters/to_phy.py
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ def export_to_phy(
     if dtype is None:
         dtype = sorting_analyzer.get_dtype()
 
-    if sorting_analyzer.has_recording():
+    if sorting_analyzer.has_recording() or sorting_analyzer.has_temporary_recording():
         if copy_binary:
             rec_path = output_folder / "recording.dat"
             write_binary_recording(sorting_analyzer.recording, file_paths=rec_path, dtype=dtype, **job_kwargs)