diff --git a/ipam/allocator.go b/ipam/allocator.go
index c33fe920..ae8af51b 100644
--- a/ipam/allocator.go
+++ b/ipam/allocator.go
@@ -911,7 +911,9 @@ func (alloc *Allocator) reportFreeSpace() {
 	for _, r := range ranges {
 		freespace[r.Start] = alloc.space.NumFreeAddressesInRange(r)
 	}
-	alloc.ring.ReportFree(freespace)
+	if alloc.ring.ReportFree(freespace) {
+		alloc.persistRing()
+	}
 }
 
 // Persistent data
diff --git a/ipam/ring/ring.go b/ipam/ring/ring.go
index 01010f24..67d1188c 100644
--- a/ipam/ring/ring.go
+++ b/ipam/ring/ring.go
@@ -449,8 +449,8 @@ func (r *Ring) String() string {
 
 // ReportFree is used by the allocator to tell the ring how many free
 // ips are in a given range, so that ChoosePeersToAskForSpace can make
-// more intelligent decisions.
-func (r *Ring) ReportFree(freespace map[address.Address]address.Count) {
+// more intelligent decisions.  Returns true if any changes made.
+func (r *Ring) ReportFree(freespace map[address.Address]address.Count) (updated bool) {
 	r.assertInvariants()
 	defer r.assertInvariants()
 	defer r.updateExportedVariables()
@@ -483,12 +483,14 @@ func (r *Ring) ReportFree(freespace map[address.Address]address.Count) {
 		common.Assert(free <= address.Count(maxSize))
 
 		if entries[i].Free == free {
-			return
+			continue
 		}
 
 		entries[i].Free = free
 		entries[i].Version++
+		updated = true
 	}
+	return
 }
 
 type weightedPeer struct {