diff --git a/firedrake/mesh.py b/firedrake/mesh.py
index df48b11acf..1ed8bca560 100644
--- a/firedrake/mesh.py
+++ b/firedrake/mesh.py
@@ -2936,9 +2936,7 @@ def init_cell_orientations(self, expr):
         self._cell_orientations = cell_orientations.topological
 
     def __getattr__(self, name):
-        val = getattr(self._topology, name)
-        setattr(self, name, val)
-        return val
+        return getattr(self._topology, name)
 
     def __dir__(self):
         current = super(MeshGeometry, self).__dir__()