diff --git a/sources/evolution.F90 b/sources/evolution.F90
index 6f02e67..215a3ea 100644
--- a/sources/evolution.F90
+++ b/sources/evolution.F90
@@ -1090,6 +1090,7 @@ module evolution
 
 ! references
 !
+    use blocks     , only : set_blocks_update
     use coordinates, only : toplev
     use forcing    , only : update_forcing, forcing_enabled
     use mesh       , only : update_mesh
@@ -1116,6 +1117,10 @@ module evolution
 !
     if (toplev > 1) then
 
+! set all meta blocks to not be updated
+!
+      call set_blocks_update(.false.)
+
 ! check refinement and refine
 !
       call update_mesh(status)
@@ -1126,6 +1131,10 @@ module evolution
       call update_variables(time + dt, 0.0d+00, status)
       if (status /= 0) go to 100
 
+! set all meta blocks to be updated
+!
+      call set_blocks_update(.true.)
+
     end if ! toplev > 1
 
 ! error entry point