diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/db/thing.py b/r2/r2/lib/db/thing.py
index 1d2679fa1..7a09aa1a0 100644
--- a/r2/r2/lib/db/thing.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/db/thing.py
@@ -147,7 +147,9 @@ class DataThing(object):
         #copy in the cache's version
         for prop in self._base_props:
             self.__setattr__(prop, getattr(other_self, prop), False)
-        self._t = other_self._t
+
+        if other_self._loaded:
+            self._t = other_self._t
 
         #re-apply the .dirties
         old_dirties = self._dirties