diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/sync/syncRunner.js b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/sync/syncRunner.js
index 2d36d8113..912a3fdc4 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/sync/syncRunner.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/sync/syncRunner.js
@@ -127,9 +127,6 @@ Zotero.Sync.Runner_Module = function (options = {}) {
 		try {
 			yield Zotero.Notifier.trigger('start', 'sync', []);
 			
-			// Purge deleted objects so they don't cause sync errors (e.g., long tags)
-			yield Zotero.purgeDataObjects(true);
-			
 			let apiKey = yield _getAPIKey();
 			if (!apiKey) {
 				throw new Zotero.Error("API key not set", Zotero.Error.ERROR_API_KEY_NOT_SET);
@@ -142,6 +139,9 @@ Zotero.Sync.Runner_Module = function (options = {}) {
 			
 			this.updateIcons('animate');
 			
+			// Purge deleted objects so they don't cause sync errors (e.g., long tags)
+			yield Zotero.purgeDataObjects(true);
+			
 			let client = this.getAPIClient({ apiKey });
 			let keyInfo = yield this.checkAccess(client, options);