diff --git a/src/nix-env/profiles.cc b/src/nix-env/profiles.cc
index d93d7fd80..5b7a533df 100644
--- a/src/nix-env/profiles.cc
+++ b/src/nix-env/profiles.cc
@@ -80,7 +80,25 @@ Path createGeneration(Path profile, Path outPath)
        previous ones. */
     int dummy;
     Generations gens = findGenerations(profile, dummy);
-    unsigned int num = gens.size() > 0 ? gens.back().number : 0;
+
+    unsigned int num;
+    if (gens.size() > 0) {
+        Generation last = gens.back();
+
+        if (readLink(last.path) == outPath) {
+            /* We only create a new generation symlink if it differs
+               from the last one.
+
+               This helps keeping gratuitous installs/rebuilds from piling
+               up uncontrolled numbers of generations, cluttering up the
+               UI like grub. */
+            return last.path;
+        }
+
+        num = gens.back().number;
+    } else {
+        num = 0;
+    }
 
     /* Create the new generation.  Note that addPermRoot() blocks if
        the garbage collector is running to prevent the stuff we've
diff --git a/tests/user-envs.sh b/tests/user-envs.sh
index c9eed5a66..5e4fcb7bc 100644
--- a/tests/user-envs.sh
+++ b/tests/user-envs.sh
@@ -99,6 +99,16 @@ if nix-env -q '*' | grep -q bar; then false; fi
 nix-env --list-generations
 test "$(nix-env --list-generations | wc -l)" -eq 7
 
+# Doing the same operation twice results in the same generation, which triggers
+# "lazy" behaviour and does not create a new symlink.
+
+nix-env -i foo
+nix-env -i foo
+
+# Count generations.
+nix-env --list-generations
+test "$(nix-env --list-generations | wc -l)" -eq 8
+
 # Switch to a specified generation.
 nix-env --switch-generation 7
 [ "$(nix-store -q --resolve $profiles/test)" = "$oldGen" ]