diff --git a/src/Lifecycle.js b/src/Lifecycle.js
index 0796e326a0..aab7884b2e 100644
--- a/src/Lifecycle.js
+++ b/src/Lifecycle.js
@@ -588,8 +588,8 @@ async function startMatrixClient(startSyncing=true) {
     Mjolnir.sharedInstance().start();
 
     if (startSyncing) {
-        await MatrixClientPeg.start();
         await EventIndexPeg.init();
+        await MatrixClientPeg.start();
     } else {
         console.warn("Caller requested only auxiliary services be started");
         await MatrixClientPeg.assign();