diff --git a/course/flow.py b/course/flow.py
index ed6a0d93601d24b9e233d05d8655f583d687e083..8827aab016e5d51ccf303645038e9e6444fbcaea 100644
--- a/course/flow.py
+++ b/course/flow.py
@@ -528,6 +528,10 @@ def grade_flow_session(fctx, flow_session, current_access_rule,
                     and previous_grade_change.max_points == gchange.max_points
                     and previous_grade_change.comment == gchange.comment):
                 do_save = False
+        else:
+            # no previous grade changes
+            if points is None:
+                do_save = False
 
         if do_save:
             gchange.save()