diff --git a/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/global/users.ts b/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/global/users.ts
index f84a44098a..5e3b3accb4 100644
--- a/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/global/users.ts
+++ b/packages/worker/src/api/controllers/global/users.ts
@@ -60,11 +60,13 @@ export const adminUser = async (ctx: any) => {
       tenantId,
     }
     try {
+      // always bust checklist beforehand, if an error occurs but can proceed, don't get
+      // stuck in a cycle
+      await cache.bustCache(cache.CacheKeys.CHECKLIST)
       const finalUser = await users.save(user, {
         hashPassword,
         requirePassword,
       })
-      await cache.bustCache(cache.CacheKeys.CHECKLIST)
 
       // events
       let account: CloudAccount | undefined