diff --git a/gtk/gtkcssimage.c b/gtk/gtkcssimage.c
index 2d92829959..31b1e80567 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkcssimage.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkcssimage.c
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ gtk_css_image_real_transition (GtkCssImage *start,
     return g_object_ref (start);
   else if (progress >= 1.0)
     return end ? g_object_ref (end) : NULL;
+  else if (_gtk_css_image_equal (start, end))
+    return g_object_ref (start);
   else
     return _gtk_css_image_cross_fade_new (start, end, progress);
 }