diff --git a/runbot_builder/builder.py b/runbot_builder/builder.py
index 6ea8a5ff..e8d8bedd 100755
--- a/runbot_builder/builder.py
+++ b/runbot_builder/builder.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ _logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 class BuilderClient(RunbotClient):
 
     def on_start(self):
-        self.env['runbot.repo'].search([('mode', '!=', 'disabled')])._update()
+        self.env['runbot.repo'].search([('mode', '!=', 'disabled')])._update(force=True)
 
     def loop_turn(self):
         if self.count == 1: # cleanup at second iteration