diff --git a/scene/3d/mesh_instance.cpp b/scene/3d/mesh_instance.cpp
index 3d66ce5047c4..29c11c541946 100644
--- a/scene/3d/mesh_instance.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/mesh_instance.cpp
@@ -355,9 +355,9 @@ void MeshInstance::_initialize_skinning(bool p_force_reset) {
 	}
 
 	RID render_mesh = software_skinning ? software_skinning->mesh_instance->get_rid() : mesh->get_rid();
-	set_base(render_mesh);
+	if (update_mesh || (render_mesh != get_base())) {
+		set_base(render_mesh);
 
-	if (update_mesh) {
 		// Update instance materials after switching mesh.
 		int surface_count = mesh->get_surface_count();
 		for (int surface_index = 0; surface_index < surface_count; ++surface_index) {