diff --git a/eos/saveddata/character.py b/eos/saveddata/character.py
index 24fa08694..2d3fc260d 100644
--- a/eos/saveddata/character.py
+++ b/eos/saveddata/character.py
@@ -142,6 +142,14 @@ class Character(object):
         return self.__skills
 
     def addSkill(self, skill):
+        if skill.itemID in self.__skillIdMap:
+            oldSkill = self.__skillIdMap[skill.itemID]
+            if skill.level > oldSkill.level:
+                # if new skill is higher, remove old skill (new skill will still append)
+                self.__skills.remove(oldSkill)
+            else:
+                return
+
         self.__skills.append(skill)
         self.__skillIdMap[skill.itemID] = skill