diff --git a/src/c3nav/mapdata/models/locations.py b/src/c3nav/mapdata/models/locations.py
index 5f45e2f4..78c6d6d8 100644
--- a/src/c3nav/mapdata/models/locations.py
+++ b/src/c3nav/mapdata/models/locations.py
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ class LocationGroupCategory(SerializableMixin, models.Model):
             group.register_changed_geometries(do_query=False)
 
     def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        if self.priority != self.orig_priority:
+        if self.pk and self.priority != self.orig_priority:
             self.register_changed_geometries()
         super().save(*args, **kwargs)
 
@@ -308,7 +308,8 @@ class LocationGroup(Location, models.Model):
         return (1, self.category.priority, self.priority)
 
     def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        if (self.orig_color != self.color or
+        if (self.pk and
+                self.orig_color != self.color or
                 self.priority != self.orig_priority or
                 self.category_id != self.orig_category_id):
             self.register_changed_geometries()