diff --git a/src/gt4py/cartesian/backend/dace_backend.py b/src/gt4py/cartesian/backend/dace_backend.py
index 5b822a1ab5..8ca18705c9 100644
--- a/src/gt4py/cartesian/backend/dace_backend.py
+++ b/src/gt4py/cartesian/backend/dace_backend.py
@@ -151,10 +151,6 @@ def _pre_expand_transformations(gtir_pipeline: GtirPipeline, sdfg: dace.SDFG, la
         sdfg.add_state(gtir_pipeline.gtir.name)
         return sdfg
 
-    for array in sdfg.arrays.values():
-        if array.transient:
-            array.lifetime = dace.AllocationLifetime.Persistent
-
     sdfg.simplify(validate=False)
 
     _set_expansion_orders(sdfg)
diff --git a/src/gt4py/cartesian/gtc/dace/oir_to_dace.py b/src/gt4py/cartesian/gtc/dace/oir_to_dace.py
index d44c05de72..9b24bc3331 100644
--- a/src/gt4py/cartesian/gtc/dace/oir_to_dace.py
+++ b/src/gt4py/cartesian/gtc/dace/oir_to_dace.py
@@ -171,6 +171,7 @@ def visit_Stencil(self, node: oir.Stencil):
                 ],
                 dtype=data_type_to_dace_typeclass(decl.dtype),
                 transient=True,
+                lifetime=dace.AllocationLifetime.Persistent,
                 debuginfo=get_dace_debuginfo(decl),
             )
         self.generic_visit(node, ctx=ctx)