diff --git a/MLEM.Ui/Elements/Element.cs b/MLEM.Ui/Elements/Element.cs
index d16f2ca..f4b226a 100644
--- a/MLEM.Ui/Elements/Element.cs
+++ b/MLEM.Ui/Elements/Element.cs
@@ -639,7 +639,9 @@ namespace MLEM.Ui.Elements {
                 this.System.OnElementAreaUpdated?.Invoke(this);
 
                 foreach (var child in this.Children)
-                    child.ForceUpdateArea();
+                    child.SetAreaDirty();
+                // clear the dirty flag again in case our children just set us dirty
+                this.areaDirty = false;
             }
         }