diff --git a/girder_annotation/girder_large_image_annotation/rest/annotation.py b/girder_annotation/girder_large_image_annotation/rest/annotation.py
index d36f224e7..e4ca0e453 100644
--- a/girder_annotation/girder_large_image_annotation/rest/annotation.py
+++ b/girder_annotation/girder_large_image_annotation/rest/annotation.py
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ def deleteItemAnnotations(self, item):
 
         count = 0
         for annotation in Annotation().find(query, limit=0, sort=[('_id', 1)]):
-            annot = Annotation().load(annotation['_id'], user=user)
+            annot = Annotation().load(annotation['_id'], user=user, getElements=False)
             if annot:
                 Annotation().remove(annot)
                 count += 1