diff --git a/libs/canvas/item.cc b/libs/canvas/item.cc
index 8a8acce086..418382da17 100644
--- a/libs/canvas/item.cc
+++ b/libs/canvas/item.cc
@@ -240,15 +240,19 @@ Item::lower_to_bottom ()
 void
 Item::hide ()
 {
-	_visible = false;
-	_canvas->item_shown_or_hidden (this);
+	if (_visible) {
+		_visible = false;
+		_canvas->item_shown_or_hidden (this);
+	}
 }
 
 void
 Item::show ()
 {
-	_visible = true;
-	_canvas->item_shown_or_hidden (this);
+	if (!_visible) {
+		_visible = true;
+		_canvas->item_shown_or_hidden (this);
+	}
 }
 
 Duple