diff --git a/frappy/lib/__init__.py b/frappy/lib/__init__.py
index 827ac03..6e639a9 100644
--- a/frappy/lib/__init__.py
+++ b/frappy/lib/__init__.py
@@ -405,4 +405,6 @@ def merge_status(*args):
     texts matching maximal code are joined with ', '
     """
     maxcode = max(a[0] for a in args)
-    return maxcode, ', '.join([a[1] for a in args if a[0] == maxcode and a[1]])
+    merged = [a[1] for a in args if a[0] == maxcode and a[1]]
+    merged = {m: True for mm in merged for m in mm.split(', ')}
+    return maxcode, ', '.join(merged)