diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.cpp b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.cpp
index 93d2ebb5da..290aaff820 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.cpp
@@ -968,9 +968,10 @@ bool AvatarData::hasIdentityChangedAfterParsing(const QByteArray& data) {
 
     bool hasIdentityChanged = false;
 
-    if (skeletonModelURL != _skeletonModelURL) {
+    if (_firstSkeletonCheck || (skeletonModelURL != _skeletonModelURL)) {
         setSkeletonModelURL(skeletonModelURL);
         hasIdentityChanged = true;
+        _firstSkeletonCheck = false;
     }
 
     if (displayName != _displayName) {
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
index 8a6b558383..900da38ffa 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
@@ -368,7 +368,8 @@ protected:
 
     HeadData* _headData;
 
-    QUrl _skeletonModelURL; // These need to be empty so that on first time setting them they will not short circuit
+    QUrl _skeletonModelURL;
+    bool _firstSkeletonCheck { true };
     QUrl _skeletonFBXURL;
     QVector<AttachmentData> _attachmentData;
     QString _displayName;