diff --git a/projects/ngx-translate/core/src/lib/translate.directive.ts b/projects/ngx-translate/core/src/lib/translate.directive.ts
index 6640bb81..4e77b2cb 100644
--- a/projects/ngx-translate/core/src/lib/translate.directive.ts
+++ b/projects/ngx-translate/core/src/lib/translate.directive.ts
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ export class TranslateDirective implements AfterViewChecked, OnDestroy {
               // we want to use the content as a key, not the translation value
               key = trimmedContent;
               // the content was changed from the user, we'll use it as a reference if needed
-              node.originalContent = node.originalContent || content;
+              node.originalContent = content || node.originalContent;
             }
           }
         }