diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/pm/PackageManagerService.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/pm/PackageManagerService.java
index c9c855b30a298..dc551556ef6ff 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/pm/PackageManagerService.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/pm/PackageManagerService.java
@@ -13018,8 +13018,10 @@ public class PackageManagerService extends IPackageManager.Stub {
                         + " is not installer for " + packageName);
             }
 
-            ps.categoryHint = categoryHint;
-            scheduleWriteSettingsLocked();
+            if (ps.categoryHint != categoryHint) {
+                ps.categoryHint = categoryHint;
+                scheduleWriteSettingsLocked();
+            }
         }
     }