diff --git a/inkscape_driver/eggbot.py b/inkscape_driver/eggbot.py
index 2ac3cb5..91c6bef 100755
--- a/inkscape_driver/eggbot.py
+++ b/inkscape_driver/eggbot.py
@@ -616,12 +616,11 @@ class EggBot( inkex.Effect ):
 					if refnode:
 						x = float( node.get( 'x', '0' ) )
 						y = float( node.get( 'y', '0' ) )
-						tran = node.get( 'transform' )
-						if tran:
-							tran += ' translate(%f,%f)' % ( x, y )
+						# Note: the transform has already been applied
+						if ( x != 0 ) or (y != 0 ):
+							matNew2 = composeTransform( matNew, parseTransform( 'translate(%f,%f)' % (x,y) ) )
 						else:
-							tran = 'translate(%f,%f)' % ( x, y )
-						matNew2 = composeTransform( matNew, parseTransform( tran ) )
+							matNew2 = matNew
 						v = node.get( 'visibility', v )
 						self.recursivelyTraverseSvg( refnode, matNew2, parent_visibility=v )
 					else: