diff --git a/atuin-client/src/sync.rs b/atuin-client/src/sync.rs
index 99b423c2..1f0d3dd8 100644
--- a/atuin-client/src/sync.rs
+++ b/atuin-client/src/sync.rs
@@ -196,6 +196,8 @@ pub async fn sync(settings: &Settings, force: bool, db: &(impl Database + Send))
         settings.network_timeout,
     )?;
 
+    Settings::save_sync_time()?;
+
     let key = load_key(settings)?; // encryption key
 
     sync_upload(&key, force, &client, db).await?;
@@ -204,7 +206,5 @@ pub async fn sync(settings: &Settings, force: bool, db: &(impl Database + Send))
 
     debug!("sync downloaded {}", download.0);
 
-    Settings::save_sync_time()?;
-
     Ok(())
 }