diff --git a/src/services/following.ts b/src/services/following.ts
index f3130c0fd..3e3d756bd 100644
--- a/src/services/following.ts
+++ b/src/services/following.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ const savingDraft = new BehaviorSubject(false);
 
 let sub;
 identity.pubkey.subscribe((pubkey) => {
+  // clear the following list until a new one can be fetched
+  following.next([]);
+
   sub = userContactsService.requestContacts(pubkey, settings.relays.value, true).subscribe((userContacts) => {
     if (!userContacts) return;