diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/user.js b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/user.js
index 6dfaf9847d..95e9a9969d 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/user.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/user.js
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ exports.syncUser = async function (ctx) {
       throw err
     }
   }
-  const roles = user.roles
+  const roles = deleting ? {} : user.roles
   // remove props which aren't useful to metadata
   delete user.password
   delete user.forceResetPassword