diff --git a/parallel_emerge b/parallel_emerge
index ae02a14b25..3f9bbd1b4d 100755
--- a/parallel_emerge
+++ b/parallel_emerge
@@ -1653,7 +1653,9 @@ def main():
   if root == "/":
     for db_pkg in final_db.match_pkgs("sys-apps/portage"):
       portage_pkg = deps_graph.get(db_pkg.cpv)
-      if portage and len(deps_graph) > 1:
+      if portage_pkg and len(deps_graph) > 1:
+        portage_pkg["needs"].clear()
+        portage_pkg["provides"].clear()
         deps_graph = { str(db_pkg.cpv): portage_pkg }
         portage_upgrade = True
         if "--quiet" not in emerge.opts: