diff --git a/panel/src/components/Forms/Writer/Editor.js b/panel/src/components/Forms/Writer/Editor.js
index eee64d6239..ffabcb413f 100644
--- a/panel/src/components/Forms/Writer/Editor.js
+++ b/panel/src/components/Forms/Writer/Editor.js
@@ -285,7 +285,11 @@ export default class Editor extends Emitter {
 
 		// Only emit an update if the doc has changed and
 		// an update has not been actively prevented
-		if (transaction.docChanged || !transaction.getMeta("preventUpdate")) {
+		if (
+			transaction.docChanged &&
+			!transaction.getMeta("preventUpdate") &&
+			transaction.steps.length > 0
+		) {
 			this.emit("update", payload);
 		}
 
@@ -396,7 +400,7 @@ export default class Editor extends Emitter {
 		// give extensions access to our view
 		this.extensions.view = this.view;
 
-		this.setContent(this.options.content, true);
+		this.setContent(this.options.content);
 	}
 
 	insertText(text, selected = false) {