diff --git a/models/repo.go b/models/repo.go
index fc5f81eb5cc94..c60488844c8ab 100644
--- a/models/repo.go
+++ b/models/repo.go
@@ -1306,13 +1306,17 @@ func createRepository(e *xorm.Session, doer, u *User, repo *Repository) (err err
 		return err
 	}
 
-	u.NumRepos++
 	// Remember visibility preference.
 	u.LastRepoVisibility = repo.IsPrivate
-	if err = updateUser(e, u); err != nil {
+	if err = updateUserCols(e, u, "last_repo_visibility"); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("updateUser: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	if _, err = e.Incr("num_repos").ID(u.ID).Update(new(User)); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("increment user total_repos: %v", err)
+	}
+	u.NumRepos++
+
 	// Give access to all members in owner team.
 	if u.IsOrganization() {
 		t, err := u.getOwnerTeam(e)