diff --git a/edflow/util.py b/edflow/util.py
index babe9c8..6d03bd2 100644
--- a/edflow/util.py
+++ b/edflow/util.py
@@ -202,6 +202,10 @@ def retrieve(
                 raise KeyNotFoundError(e)
 
             visited += [key]
+        # final expansion of retrieved value
+        if expand and callable(list_or_dict):
+            list_or_dict = list_or_dict()
+            parent[last_key] = list_or_dict
     except KeyNotFoundError as e:
         if default is None:
             print("Key not found: {}, seen: {}".format(keys, visited))
diff --git a/tests/test_util.py b/tests/test_util.py
index 6ff736b..99e6b6e 100644
--- a/tests/test_util.py
+++ b/tests/test_util.py
@@ -513,6 +513,28 @@ def test_retrieve_propagates_exception():
         val = retrieve(dol, "b/c/d", default=0)
 
 
+def test_retrieve_callable_leaves():
+    dol = {"a": [1, 2], "b": callable_leave, "e": 2}
+    val = retrieve(dol, "b")
+
+    # make sure expansion is returned
+    assert val == callable_leave()
+
+    # make sure expansion was done in-place
+    assert dol["b"] == callable_leave()
+
+    dol = {"a": [1, 2], "b": callable_leave, "e": 2}
+    val = retrieve(dol, "b/c")
+    # make sure expansion is returned
+    assert val == nested_leave()
+    # make sure expansion was done in-place
+    assert dol["b"]["c"] == nested_leave()
+
+    dol = {"a": [1, 2], "b": callable_leave, "e": 2}
+    val = retrieve(dol, "b/c/d")
+    assert val == 1
+
+
 # ====================== walk ====================