diff --git a/gramps2/ChangeLog b/gramps2/ChangeLog
index bff8abd93..cb0271186 100644
--- a/gramps2/ChangeLog
+++ b/gramps2/ChangeLog
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@
 	* src/dates/Date_ru.py: Add formats and quality.
 
 	* src/EditPerson.py (get_place): Use "" for empty place's handle.
+	* src/RelLib.py (Event.are_equal): Only compare place handles if
+	at least one if them is non-empty.
 
 2005-01-17  Don Allingham  <dallingham@users.sourceforge.net>
 	* src/ReportUtils.py: Added
diff --git a/gramps2/src/RelLib.py b/gramps2/src/RelLib.py
index 20a7b0d99..1498645f5 100644
--- a/gramps2/src/RelLib.py
+++ b/gramps2/src/RelLib.py
@@ -1548,7 +1548,8 @@ class Event(PrimaryObject,DataObj):
         """
         if other == None:
             other = Event (None)
-        if (self.name != other.name or self.place != other.place or
+        if (self.name != other.name or 
+            ((self.place or other.place) and (self.place != other.place)) or
             self.description != other.description or self.cause != other.cause or
             self.private != other.private or
             (not self.get_date_object().is_equal(other.get_date_object())) or