diff --git a/packages/sync/src/manager.ts b/packages/sync/src/manager.ts
index df3af8a26fee90..cedf49bd79adf0 100644
--- a/packages/sync/src/manager.ts
+++ b/packages/sync/src/manager.ts
@@ -426,7 +426,10 @@ export function createSyncManager( debug = false ): SyncManager {
 			// via its pre-persist hook.)
 			targetDoc.transact( () => {
 				applyChangesToCRDTDoc( targetDoc, record );
-				handlers.saveRecord();
+
+				if ( 'auto-draft' !== record.status ) {
+					handlers.saveRecord();
+				}
 			}, LOCAL_SYNC_MANAGER_ORIGIN );
 			return;
 		}
diff --git a/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/change-detection.spec.js b/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/change-detection.spec.js
index 5a3c241eba8ccd..7db7c7e3fa47e4 100644
--- a/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/change-detection.spec.js
+++ b/test/e2e/specs/editor/various/change-detection.spec.js
@@ -65,8 +65,13 @@ test.describe( 'Change detection', () => {
 			).toBeDisabled(),
 		] );
 
-		// Autosave draft as same user should do full save, i.e. not dirty.
-		expect( await changeDetectionUtils.getIsDirty() ).toBe( false );
+		// With RTC enabled, all autosaves target an autosave revision. Vary our
+		// expectation accordingly.
+		const isRTCEnabled = Boolean(
+			await page.evaluate( () => window._wpCollaborationEnabled )
+		);
+
+		expect( await changeDetectionUtils.getIsDirty() ).toBe( isRTCEnabled );
 	} );
 
 	test( 'Should prompt to confirm unsaved changes for autosaved draft for non-content fields', async ( {
@@ -247,15 +252,16 @@ test.describe( 'Change detection', () => {
 					'Updating failed because you were offline. Please verify your connection and try again.'
 				)
 		).toBeVisible();
+
+		// Need to disable offline to allow reload and allow reconnect to sync provider.
+		await context.setOffline( false );
+
 		await expect(
 			page
 				.getByRole( 'region', { name: 'Editor top bar' } )
 				.getByRole( 'button', { name: 'Save draft' } )
 		).toBeEnabled();
 
-		// Need to disable offline to allow reload.
-		await context.setOffline( false );
-
 		expect( await changeDetectionUtils.getIsDirty() ).toBe( true );
 	} );