diff --git a/src/textual/widgets/_data_table.py b/src/textual/widgets/_data_table.py
index 10b52d59e2..4769a04bec 100644
--- a/src/textual/widgets/_data_table.py
+++ b/src/textual/widgets/_data_table.py
@@ -1540,6 +1540,7 @@ def add_column(
             self._updated_cells.add(CellKey(row_key, column_key))
 
         self._require_update_dimensions = True
+        self._update_count += 1
         self.check_idle()
 
         return column_key