diff --git a/param/reactive.py b/param/reactive.py
index cf38bca4..a972d2fe 100644
--- a/param/reactive.py
+++ b/param/reactive.py
@@ -556,10 +556,10 @@ def __init__(
         self._method = method
         self._operation = operation
         self._depth = depth
-        self._dirty = True
+        self._dirty = _current is None
         self._dirty_obj = False
         self._error_state = None
-        self._current_ = None
+        self._current_ = _current
         if isinstance(obj, rx) and not prev:
             self._prev = obj
         else:
diff --git a/tests/testreactive.py b/tests/testreactive.py
index 40f345e7..0e747684 100644
--- a/tests/testreactive.py
+++ b/tests/testreactive.py
@@ -314,3 +314,14 @@ def test_reactive_set_value_non_root_raises():
     rx_val = rx(1) + 1
     with pytest.raises(AttributeError):
         rx_val.rx.value = 3
+
+def test_reactive_clone_evaluates_once():
+    namex = rx('bob')
+
+    items = []
+    def debug(value):
+        items.append(value)
+        return value
+
+    assert namex.rx.pipe(debug).title().rx.value == 'Bob'
+    assert len(items) == 1