diff --git a/backend/webserver/api/datasets.py b/backend/webserver/api/datasets.py
index 9b2b9588..f0e7aac3 100644
--- a/backend/webserver/api/datasets.py
+++ b/backend/webserver/api/datasets.py
@@ -216,8 +216,10 @@ def post(self, dataset_id):
                     update[f'set__metadata__{key}'] = value
 
             dataset.default_annotation_metadata = default_annotation_metadata
-            AnnotationModel.objects(dataset_id=dataset.id, deleted=False)\
-                .update(**update)
+            
+            if len(update.keys()) > 0:
+                AnnotationModel.objects(dataset_id=dataset.id, deleted=False)\
+                    .update(**update)
 
         dataset.update(
             categories=dataset.categories,