A system and method for preventing inefficient recalls in a hierarchical storage management (HSM) system are presented. Difference data may be received for updating a target file stored in a first storage system having at least an upper storage layer and a lower tape layer. The difference data may be stored in a stub file located on the upper storage layer and corresponding to the target file in the first storage system located on the lower tape layer. A recall operation may be executed that copies the target file from the lower tape layer to the upper storage layer. The difference data stored in the stub file may be copied to the target file copied onto the upper storage layer from the lower tape layer according to one or more predetermined events.