diff --git a/includes/api/ApiEchoMarkSeen.php b/includes/api/ApiEchoMarkSeen.php
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index e23204faf..6b3797318
--- a/includes/api/ApiEchoMarkSeen.php
+++ b/includes/api/ApiEchoMarkSeen.php
@@ -11,9 +11,14 @@ class ApiEchoMarkSeen extends ApiBase {
 			$this->dieUsage( 'Login is required', 'login-required' );
 		}
 
+		// Load from the master to reduce CAS errors from high update frequency
+		$u = User::newFromId( $user->getId() );
+		$u->load( User::READ_LATEST );
+
 		$timestamp = wfTimestamp( TS_MW );
-		$user->setOption( 'echo-seen-time', $timestamp );
-		$user->saveSettings();
+		// @TODO: do not abuse user preferences for "last seen"
+		$u->setOption( 'echo-seen-time', $timestamp );
+		$u->saveSettings();
 
 		$this->getResult()->addValue( 'query', $this->getModuleName(), array(
 			'result' => 'success',