diff --git a/plugins/netlist_modifier/src/netlist_modifier.cpp b/plugins/netlist_modifier/src/netlist_modifier.cpp
index c6f9e595af4..2cae798107a 100644
--- a/plugins/netlist_modifier/src/netlist_modifier.cpp
+++ b/plugins/netlist_modifier/src/netlist_modifier.cpp
@@ -147,7 +147,8 @@ namespace hal
             new_gate->set_location(position);
         }
 
-        module->assign_gate(new_gate);
+        if (module != new_gate->get_module())
+            module->assign_gate(new_gate);
 
         return true;
     }