diff --git a/adafruit_display_text/scrolling_label.py b/adafruit_display_text/scrolling_label.py
index 2031c5d..02d4ef6 100644
--- a/adafruit_display_text/scrolling_label.py
+++ b/adafruit_display_text/scrolling_label.py
@@ -86,7 +86,8 @@ def update(self, force: bool = False) -> None:
             self._last_animate_time + int(self.animate_time * 1000), _now
         ):
             if len(self.full_text) <= self.max_characters:
-                super()._set_text(self.full_text, self.scale)
+                if self._text != self.full_text:
+                    super()._set_text(self.full_text, self.scale)
                 self._last_animate_time = _now
                 return