diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/models.py b/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
index aae2a3cc8c..c66589b0e5 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
@@ -2551,8 +2551,7 @@ class UserAttribute(TimeStampedModel):
         user. Overwrites any previous value for that name, if it
         exists.
         """
-        cls.objects.filter(user=user, name=name).delete()
-        cls.objects.create(user=user, name=name, value=value)
+        cls.objects.update_or_create(user=user, name=name, defaults={'value': value})
 
     @classmethod
     def get_user_attribute(cls, user, name):