diff --git a/recurrence/static/recurrence/js/recurrence-widget.js b/recurrence/static/recurrence/js/recurrence-widget.js
index 29b4939..fbea95d 100644
--- a/recurrence/static/recurrence/js/recurrence-widget.js
+++ b/recurrence/static/recurrence/js/recurrence-widget.js
@@ -577,7 +577,12 @@ recurrence.widget.Widget.prototype = {
     },
 
     update: function() {
+        var currentVal = this.textarea.value;
         this.textarea.value = this.data.serialize();
+        if (currentVal !== this.textarea.value) {
+            var event = new Event('change');
+            this.textarea.dispatchEvent(event);
+        }
     }
 };