diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/models.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/models.py
index 37d9a6276f4c..f6e232232a29 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/models.py
@@ -164,7 +164,8 @@ class Meta:
         app_label = "bulk_email"
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        kwargs['target_type'] = SEND_TO_COHORT
+        if not args:
+            kwargs['target_type'] = SEND_TO_COHORT
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
 
     def __str__(self):
@@ -209,7 +210,8 @@ class Meta:
         app_label = "bulk_email"
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        kwargs['target_type'] = SEND_TO_TRACK
+        if not args:
+            kwargs['target_type'] = SEND_TO_TRACK
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
 
     def __str__(self):