diff --git a/src/crypto/DeviceList.js b/src/crypto/DeviceList.js
index 751982b42..d234cab17 100644
--- a/src/crypto/DeviceList.js
+++ b/src/crypto/DeviceList.js
@@ -475,10 +475,10 @@ export default class DeviceList {
         if (!this._deviceTrackingStatus[userId]) {
             logger.log('Now tracking device list for ' + userId);
             this._deviceTrackingStatus[userId] = TRACKING_STATUS_PENDING_DOWNLOAD;
+            // we don't yet persist the tracking status, since there may be a lot
+            // of calls; we save all data together once the sync is done
+            this._dirty = true;
         }
-        // we don't yet persist the tracking status, since there may be a lot
-        // of calls; we save all data together once the sync is done
-        this._dirty = true;
     }
 
     /**