diff --git a/data/model.py b/data/model.py
index 629d06700..0945f9dc0 100644
--- a/data/model.py
+++ b/data/model.py
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ def get_visible_repositories(username=None, include_public=True, limit=None,
       where_clause = new_clause
 
   if limit:
-    query.limit(limit)
+    query = query.limit(limit)
 
   return query.where(where_clause)