diff --git a/app/Models/WorkOrder/WorkOrder.php b/app/Models/WorkOrder/WorkOrder.php
index 4193aea..d8bc6dc 100644
--- a/app/Models/WorkOrder/WorkOrder.php
+++ b/app/Models/WorkOrder/WorkOrder.php
@@ -103,7 +103,10 @@ public function markAsRead(): bool
             $this->status = 'user_read';
         }
 
-        $this->save();
+        // if status is dirty, save it
+        if ($this->isDirty('status')) {
+            $this->save();
+        }
 
         return true;
     }