diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/book/edit/edit_book_form.html b/bookwyrm/templates/book/edit/edit_book_form.html
index 23cc6d097d..4cc3965e73 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/book/edit/edit_book_form.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/book/edit/edit_book_form.html
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 {% csrf_token %}
 
 <input type="hidden" name="last_edited_by" value="{{ request.user.id }}">
-{% if form.parent_work %}
+{% if book.parent_work.id or form.parent_work %}
 <input type="hidden" name="parent_work" value="{% firstof book.parent_work.id form.parent_work %}">
 {% endif %}