diff --git a/lib/awful/tag.lua.in b/lib/awful/tag.lua.in
index ec5799128..ffc3e3d20 100644
--- a/lib/awful/tag.lua.in
+++ b/lib/awful/tag.lua.in
@@ -271,12 +271,12 @@ end
 -- @param s Screen number
 function tag.setscreen(t, s)
     local s = s or capi.mouse.screen
+    local old_screen = tag.getproperty(t, "screen")
+    if s == old_screen then return end
 
     -- Keeping the old index make very little sense when changing screen
     tag.setproperty(t, "index", nil)
 
-    local old_screen = tag.getproperty(t,"screen")
-
     -- Change the screen
     tag.setproperty(t, "screen", s)