diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/angular/directives/work_packages/work-package-total-sums-directive.js b/app/assets/javascripts/angular/directives/work_packages/work-package-total-sums-directive.js
index ea1c253a2b..9431004bab 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/angular/directives/work_packages/work-package-total-sums-directive.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/angular/directives/work_packages/work-package-total-sums-directive.js
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ angular.module('openproject.workPackages.directives')
               });
           }
 
-          scope.$watch('columns.length', function() {
+          scope.$watch('columns.length', function(length, formerLength) {
             // map columns to sums if the column data is a number
-            fetchSums();
+            if(length >= formerLength) fetchSums();
           });
         }
       };