diff --git a/src/queryer/compiler.rs b/src/queryer/compiler.rs
index ab7c024..d559256 100644
--- a/src/queryer/compiler.rs
+++ b/src/queryer/compiler.rs
@@ -491,7 +491,14 @@ impl<'a> Compiler<'a> {
       .unwrap_or_else(|| base_alias.clone());
 
     let mut where_clauses = Vec::new();
-    where_clauses.push(format!("NOT {}.archived", entity_alias));
+
+    // Dynamically apply the 'active-only' default ONLY if the client
+    // didn't explicitly request to filter on 'archived' themselves!
+    let has_archived_override = self.filter_keys.iter().any(|k| k == "archived");
+
+    if !has_archived_override {
+      where_clauses.push(format!("NOT {}.archived", entity_alias));
+    }
 
     self.compile_filter_conditions(r#type, type_aliases, &node, &base_alias, &mut where_clauses);
     self.compile_relation_conditions(