diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/combined_open_ended_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/combined_open_ended_module.py
index 4f806d6b78..ee1f42e585 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/combined_open_ended_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/combined_open_ended_module.py
@@ -182,7 +182,9 @@ class CombinedOpenEndedModule(XModule):
 
     def save_instance_data(self):
         for attribute in self.student_attributes:
-            setattr(self,attribute, getattr(self.child_module,attribute))
+            child_attr = getattr(self.child_module,attribute)
+            if child_attr != getattr(self, attribute):
+                setattr(self,attribute, getattr(self.child_module,attribute))
 
 
 class CombinedOpenEndedDescriptor(RawDescriptor):