diff --git a/libgnucash/backend/sql/gnc-transaction-sql.cpp b/libgnucash/backend/sql/gnc-transaction-sql.cpp
index c62f3f1959..f2e2b1fc5f 100644
--- a/libgnucash/backend/sql/gnc-transaction-sql.cpp
+++ b/libgnucash/backend/sql/gnc-transaction-sql.cpp
@@ -292,12 +292,12 @@ load_single_tx (GncSqlBackend* sql_be, GncSqlRow& row)
     if (guid == NULL) return NULL;
     tx_guid = *guid;
 
-    /* Don't overwrite the transaction if it's already been loaded (and possibly
-     * modified).
-     */
+    // Don't overwrite the transaction if it's already been loaded (and possibly modified).
+    // However increase the edit level, it may be modified while loading its splits
     pTx = xaccTransLookup (&tx_guid, sql_be->book());
     if (pTx != NULL)
     {
+        xaccTransBeginEdit (pTx);
         return NULL;
     }