Virus-specific PD1 ⁺ Tcf1 ⁺ memory-like CD8 ⁺ T cells (T _ML s) maintain the CD8 ⁺ T cell response during chronic viral infection. However, the fate of these cells following cessation of persistent antigen exposure has been unclear. Here, we find that T _ML s persist upon transfer into antigen-free hosts and form memory following recall stimulation. Phenotypic, functional, and transcriptome analyses show that T _ML -derived memory cells resemble those arising in response to acute, resolved infection, but they retain features of chronically stimulated cells, including elevated PD-1 and Tox and reduced cytokine expression. This chronic infection imprint is largely accounted for by constitutive Tox expression. Virus-specific Tcf1 ⁺ CD8 ⁺ T cells that persist after clearance of systemic infection also display a chronic infection imprint. Notwithstanding, renewed virus exposure induces a recall response, which controls virus infection in part. Thus, cessation of chronic antigen exposure yields a memory CD8 ⁺ T cell compartment that reflects prior stimulation.