diff --git a/src/ansiblelint/file_utils.py b/src/ansiblelint/file_utils.py
index 7bd40b4e6d..63ef66fb00 100644
--- a/src/ansiblelint/file_utils.py
+++ b/src/ansiblelint/file_utils.py
@@ -219,9 +219,7 @@ def content(self, value: str) -> None:
             elif not self.path.exists():
                 # new file
                 self._original_content = ""
-                self.updated = True
-        if self._content != value:
-            self.updated = True
+        self.updated = self._original_content != value
         self._content = value
 
     @content.deleter