diff --git a/lib/galaxy/model/tags.py b/lib/galaxy/model/tags.py
index 6e9ca0592660..604efa650719 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/model/tags.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/model/tags.py
@@ -95,7 +95,8 @@ def set_tags_from_list(
         if flush:
             with transaction(self.sa_session):
                 self.sa_session.commit()
-        item.update()
+        if hasattr(item, "update"):
+            item.update()
         return item.tags
 
     def get_tag_assoc_class(self, item_class):