diff --git a/tagging/fields.py b/tagging/fields.py
index f4714676..6b2f2325 100644
--- a/tagging/fields.py
+++ b/tagging/fields.py
@@ -72,8 +72,9 @@ def _save(self, **kwargs): #signal, sender, instance):
         """
         Save tags back to the database
         """
-        tags = self._get_instance_tag_cache(kwargs['instance'])
-        Tag.objects.update_tags(kwargs['instance'], tags)
+        if not kwargs['raw']
+            tags = self._get_instance_tag_cache(kwargs['instance'])
+            Tag.objects.update_tags(kwargs['instance'], tags)
 
     def _update(self, **kwargs): #signal, sender, instance):
         """