diff --git a/vetting_bot/main.py b/vetting_bot/main.py
index 4d63053..018d4c5 100644
--- a/vetting_bot/main.py
+++ b/vetting_bot/main.py
@@ -113,13 +113,13 @@ async def main():
 
             timer = Timer(client, store, config)
 
-            async def start_timer_with_delay():
-                await asyncio.sleep(5)
-                await timer.start_all_timers()
+            logger.debug("Doing init sync")
+            await client.sync(timeout=0, full_state=True)
 
-            asyncio.create_task(start_timer_with_delay())
+            await timer.start_all_timers()
 
-            await client.sync_forever(timeout=30000, full_state=True)
+            logger.debug("Continuing with sync_forever")
+            await client.sync_forever(timeout=30000, full_state=False)
 
         except (ClientConnectionError, ServerDisconnectedError):
             logger.warning("Unable to connect to homeserver, retrying in 15s...")