diff --git a/oml/item/models.py b/oml/item/models.py
index 163eaf2..b3e6a9c 100644
--- a/oml/item/models.py
+++ b/oml/item/models.py
@@ -158,7 +158,8 @@ class Item(db.Model):
         for key in self.array_keys:
             if key in j and not isinstance(j[key], list):
                 j[key] = [j[key]]
-        j['sharemetadata'] = j.get('sharemetadata', False)
+        if keys is None or 'sharemetadata' in keys:
+            j['sharemetadata'] = j.get('sharemetadata', False)
         return j
 
     def get_path(self):