diff --git a/beetsplug/mbsync.py b/beetsplug/mbsync.py
index 3313c6f07..e8fdf6c7a 100644
--- a/beetsplug/mbsync.py
+++ b/beetsplug/mbsync.py
@@ -25,12 +25,15 @@ log = logging.getLogger('beets')
 
 
 def _print_and_apply_changes(lib, item, move, pretend, write):
+    """Apply changes to an Item and preview them in the console. Return
+    a boolean indicating whether any changes were made.
+    """
     changes = {}
     for key in library.ITEM_KEYS_META:
         if item.dirty[key]:
             changes[key] = item.old_data[key], getattr(item, key)
     if not changes:
-        return
+        return False
 
     # Something changed.
     ui.print_obj(item, lib)
@@ -47,6 +50,8 @@ def _print_and_apply_changes(lib, item, move, pretend, write):
             item.write()
         lib.store(item)
 
+    return True
+
 
 def mbsync_singletons(lib, query, move, pretend, write):
     """Synchronize matching singleton items.
@@ -104,8 +109,13 @@ def mbsync_albums(lib, query, move, pretend, write):
         # Apply.
         with lib.transaction():
             autotag.apply_metadata(album_info, mapping)
+            changed = False
             for item in items:
-                _print_and_apply_changes(lib, item, move, pretend, write)
+                changed = changed or \
+                    _print_and_apply_changes(lib, item, move, pretend, write)
+            if not changed:
+                # No change to any item.
+                continue
 
             if not pretend:
                 # Update album structure to reflect an item in it.