diff --git a/packages/core/api/sync/index.js b/packages/core/api/sync/index.js
index ebdf50d84..496f03256 100644
--- a/packages/core/api/sync/index.js
+++ b/packages/core/api/sync/index.js
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ class Sync {
     // refresh monographs on sync completed
     await this.db.monographs.init();
     // refresh topic references
-    this.db.notes.topicReferences.refresh();
+    this.db.notes.topicReferences.rebuild();
 
     await this.start(false, false, lastSynced);
   }