diff --git a/homeassistant/components/automation/template.py b/homeassistant/components/automation/template.py
index 1f594dad914..d2005ced8ea 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/automation/template.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/automation/template.py
@@ -27,13 +27,20 @@ def trigger(hass, config, action):
     # Get all entity ids
     all_entity_ids = hass.states.entity_ids()
 
-    # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    # Local variable to keep track of if the action has already been triggered
+    already_triggered = False
+
     def state_automation_listener(entity, from_s, to_s):
         """ Listens for state changes and calls action. """
+        nonlocal already_triggered
+        template_result = _check_template(hass, value_template)
 
         # Check to see if template returns true
-        if _check_template(hass, value_template):
+        if template_result and not already_triggered:
+            already_triggered = True
             action()
+        elif not template_result:
+            already_triggered = False
 
     track_state_change(hass, all_entity_ids, state_automation_listener)
 
diff --git a/tests/components/automation/test_template.py b/tests/components/automation/test_template.py
index 763b0194ded..0c63d03d6c3 100644
--- a/tests/components/automation/test_template.py
+++ b/tests/components/automation/test_template.py
@@ -274,15 +274,19 @@ class TestAutomationTemplate(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.hass.states.set('test.entity', 'work')
         self.hass.pool.block_till_done()
-        self.assertEqual(2, len(self.calls))
+        self.assertEqual(1, len(self.calls))
+
+        self.hass.states.set('test.entity', 'not_home')
+        self.hass.pool.block_till_done()
+        self.assertEqual(1, len(self.calls))
 
         self.hass.states.set('test.entity', 'world')
         self.hass.pool.block_till_done()
-        self.assertEqual(2, len(self.calls))
+        self.assertEqual(1, len(self.calls))
 
         self.hass.states.set('test.entity', 'home')
         self.hass.pool.block_till_done()
-        self.assertEqual(3, len(self.calls))
+        self.assertEqual(2, len(self.calls))
 
     def test_if_action(self):
         automation.setup(self.hass, {