diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mongo.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mongo.py
index f6fa98fc28..b76251bb99 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mongo.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/mongo.py
@@ -366,6 +366,9 @@ class MongoModuleStore(ModuleStoreBase):
                 children.extend(item.get('definition', {}).get('children', []))
                 data[Location(item['location'])] = item
 
+            if depth == 0:
+                break;
+
             # Load all children by id. See
             # http://www.mongodb.org/display/DOCS/Advanced+Queries#AdvancedQueries-%24or
             # for or-query syntax