diff --git a/src/sync/mod.rs b/src/sync/mod.rs
index e3b990b..8736006 100644
--- a/src/sync/mod.rs
+++ b/src/sync/mod.rs
@@ -4450,7 +4450,7 @@ impl SyncManager {
         let mut relay_urls: Vec<String> = targets
             .iter()
             .filter(|(relay_url, needs)| {
-                !needs.root_events.is_empty()
+                (!needs.repos.is_empty() || !needs.root_events.is_empty())
                     && states.get(*relay_url).is_some_and(|state| {
                         matches!(
                             state.connection_status,
diff --git a/tests/sync/live_sync.rs b/tests/sync/live_sync.rs
index 03bebf5..df0bbee 100644
--- a/tests/sync/live_sync.rs
+++ b/tests/sync/live_sync.rs
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ async fn test_live_sync_batches_repo_filters_below_source_req_limit() {
     wait_for_sync_connection(syncing.url(), 1, Duration::from_secs(5))
         .await
         .expect("syncing relay should connect to constrained source");
+    wait_for_new_descendant_live_generation(&syncing, 0, Duration::from_secs(20)).await;
 
     // Observe one q-tagged event completing the round trip before testing a
     // second live event. This proves the relevant subscription is installed