diff --git a/src/modules/hyprland/workspaces.cpp b/src/modules/hyprland/workspaces.cpp
index 416e06f3..5c009202 100644
--- a/src/modules/hyprland/workspaces.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/hyprland/workspaces.cpp
@@ -458,17 +458,16 @@ std::optional<std::string> Workspace::on_window_closed(WindowAddress &addr) {
 }
 
 void Workspaces::create_workspace(Json::Value &workspace_data, const Json::Value &clients_data) {
-  // replace the existing persistent workspace if it exists
+  // avoid recreating existing workspaces
   auto workspace = std::find_if(
       workspaces_.begin(), workspaces_.end(), [&](std::unique_ptr<Workspace> const &x) {
         auto name = workspace_data["name"].asString();
         return x->is_persistent() &&
                ((name.starts_with("special:") && name.substr(8) == x->name()) || name == x->name());
       });
+
   if (workspace != workspaces_.end()) {
-    // replace workspace, but keep persistent flag
-    workspaces_.erase(workspace);
-    workspace_data["persistent"] = true;
+    return;
   }
 
   // create new workspace