diff --git a/lib/i18n.rb b/lib/i18n.rb
index 9a6a535d..3f2b9812 100644
--- a/lib/i18n.rb
+++ b/lib/i18n.rb
@@ -344,11 +344,13 @@ def localize(object, locale: nil, format: nil, **options)
 
     # Executes block with given I18n.locale set.
     def with_locale(tmp_locale = nil)
-      if tmp_locale == nil
+      tmp_locale_sym = tmp_locale&.to_sym
+
+      if tmp_locale_sym.nil? || tmp_locale_sym == self.locale
         yield
       else
         current_locale = self.locale
-        self.locale = tmp_locale
+        self.locale = tmp_locale_sym
         begin
           yield
         ensure