diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/validate_render_image_rule.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/validate_render_image_rule.py
index b94bdb0b14..4d3796e429 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/validate_render_image_rule.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/validate_render_image_rule.py
@@ -33,9 +33,13 @@ class ValidateRenderImageRule(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin):
 
     @classmethod
     def repair(cls, instance):
-        default = cls.get_default_render_image_folder(instance)
-        cmds.workspace(fileRule=("images", default))
-        cmds.workspace(saveWorkspace=True)
+
+        required_images_rule = cls.get_default_render_image_folder(instance)
+        current_images_rule = cmds.workspace(fileRuleEntry="images")
+
+        if current_images_rule != required_images_rule:
+            cmds.workspace(fileRule=("images", required_images_rule))
+            cmds.workspace(saveWorkspace=True)
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_default_render_image_folder(instance):