diff --git a/repertory/librepertory/src/providers/base_provider.cpp b/repertory/librepertory/src/providers/base_provider.cpp
index c4c51932..934906da 100644
--- a/repertory/librepertory/src/providers/base_provider.cpp
+++ b/repertory/librepertory/src/providers/base_provider.cpp
@@ -854,6 +854,9 @@ auto base_provider::set_item_meta(const std::string &api_path,
     }
 
     meta.erase(META_PINNED);
+    if (meta.empty()) {
+      return res;
+    }
   }
 
   auto ret = meta_db_->set_item_meta(api_path, meta);