diff --git a/field_collection.module b/field_collection.module
index 2409b4f..21be6fe 100644
--- a/field_collection.module
+++ b/field_collection.module
@@ -897,7 +897,7 @@ function field_collection_field_settings_form($field, $instance) {
 function field_collection_field_presave($host_entity_type, $host_entity, $field, $instance, $langcode, &$items) {
   $force_new_entity = !empty($host_entity->is_new);
   // Some special casing for nodes since is_new property is being set after this
-  // hook fires. Usually the is_new property/flag should be set before calling 
+  // hook fires. Usually the is_new property/flag should be set before calling
   // field_attach_presave().
   if (!$force_new_entity && $host_entity_type == 'node') {
     $force_new_entity = empty($host_entity->nid);
@@ -915,6 +915,9 @@ function field_collection_field_presave($host_entity_type, $host_entity, $field,
           $entity->item_id = NULL;
           $entity->revision_id = NULL;
           $entity->is_new = TRUE;
+        }
+
+        if (!empty($entity->is_new)) {
           $entity->setHostEntity($host_entity_type, $host_entity, LANGUAGE_NONE, FALSE);
         }