diff --git a/beets/importer.py b/beets/importer.py
index 1178addb7..14456572c 100644
--- a/beets/importer.py
+++ b/beets/importer.py
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ class ImportTask(object):
     def save_history(self):
         """Save the directory in the history for incremental imports.
         """
-        if self.is_album:
+        if self.is_album and not self.sentinel:
             history_add(self.paths)