diff --git a/app/cli.py b/app/cli.py
index e64478c5..53dd132a 100644
--- a/app/cli.py
+++ b/app/cli.py
@@ -221,6 +221,7 @@ def register(app):
             db.session.commit()
 
             # update and sync defederation subscriptions
+            db.session.execute(text('DELETE FROM banned_instances WHERE subscription_id is not null'))
             for defederation_sub in DefederationSubscription.query.all():
                 download_defeds(defederation_sub.id, defederation_sub.domain)