diff --git a/chain/events/filter/event.go b/chain/events/filter/event.go
index 1669d840e..0accc551a 100644
--- a/chain/events/filter/event.go
+++ b/chain/events/filter/event.go
@@ -375,6 +375,10 @@ func (m *EventFilterManager) Revert(ctx context.Context, from, to *types.TipSet)
 func (m *EventFilterManager) Install(ctx context.Context, minHeight, maxHeight abi.ChainEpoch, tipsetCid cid.Cid, addresses []address.Address,
 	keysWithCodec map[string][]types.ActorEventBlock, excludeReverted bool) (EventFilter, error) {
 	m.mu.Lock()
+	if m.currentHeight == 0 {
+		// sync in progress, we haven't had an Apply
+		m.currentHeight = m.ChainStore.GetHeaviestTipSet().Height()
+	}
 	currentHeight := m.currentHeight
 	m.mu.Unlock()