diff --git a/packages/payload/src/collections/operations/utilities/update.ts b/packages/payload/src/collections/operations/utilities/update.ts
index f604129ecf1..d48f9a569a0 100644
--- a/packages/payload/src/collections/operations/utilities/update.ts
+++ b/packages/payload/src/collections/operations/utilities/update.ts
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ export const updateDocument = async <
       !isSavingDraft,
   )
 
-  if (isSavingDraft) {
+  if (isSavingDraft && !id) {
     data._status = 'draft'
   }