diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/flows/index.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/flows/index.js
index fbf339d03..92c3e5b1e 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/flows/index.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/flows/index.js
@@ -697,7 +697,9 @@ async function updateFlow(id,newFlow, user) {
 
         nodes = [tabNode].concat(newFlow.nodes||[]).concat(newFlow.configs||[]);
         nodes.forEach(function(n) {
-            n.z = id;
+            if (n.type !== 'tab') {
+                n.z = id;
+            }
         });
     }